St. James to stage 'Hairspray' July 15-30
St. James Parish in Arlington Heights will stage its 47th musical production, "Hairspray."
"Hairspray" is the energetic Broadway musical about Tracy Turnblad, a high school student who just doesn't fit in. The story is set in 1962 Baltimore, where Tracy lives with her father, who runs a joke shop, and her loving but painfully shy mother, who refuses to leave the house.
Tracy's dream is to be one of the featured dancers on the "Corny Collins Show," and a series of unlikely events occur for her to win a spot. Once there, Tracy shifts her efforts toward integrating the show, getting together with the boy of her dreams and helping her reclusive mother feel confident enough to leave the house again.
The St. James Theatre production of "Hairspray" will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 15, 21, 22,28 and 29. Ticket prices are $15; $12 cash and $1 ticket surcharge for credit card orders.
Special Saturday "Family Nights" will be 7 p.m. July 16, 23 and 30. Ticket prices for "Family Nights" are: $7; $5 cash and $1 ticket surcharge for credit card orders. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. July 17 and 24.
All performances will be held at St. James Parrish Center, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.
Purchase tickets online from the St. James website, www.stjamestheatre.org, or at the door on show night.
"Hairspray" is directed by Rachael Proulx. Music direction is by Joe Giovannetti and choreography is by Marina Sterner.
Edna Turnblad, Wilbur Turnblad, Motormouth Maybelle and Corny Collins are single cast and will be played by Tom Hussey, Dave Ferriss, Abigail Adjei-Perberg and Franco Longobardi; with Little Inez, Mr. Spritzer and Pinky played by Olivia Cano, Case Carvell and Jack Saflarski.
Feature performers who are double-cast include Tracy Turnblad: Becka Carvell and Chloe Chidester; Penny: Alexandra Lidbury and Alayna Laverty; Link: Matthew Fecko and Theo Brown; Seaweed: Joe Farrell and Tyler Soy; Velma: Kim Buck and Lonnie Summer; Amber: Nicole Calvaresi and Erin Saflarski and Prudy: Kim O'Connor and Laurel Saflarski - all supported by a cast of more than 100.
For information, visit www.stjamestheatre.org.