Mesa Encore Theatre Presents HAIRSPRAY

[Returning Member]

Posted: 5/6/12 at 11:25pm

Mesa Encore Theatre Proudly Presents Hairspray

"If life were everything it should be, it would be more like Hairspray." —The New York Times

Tickets On Sale Now!

It’s time to let your hair down and dance the night away! Hairspray, Broadway’s musical comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture is being produced by the Mesa Encore Theatre May 25-June 3, 2012. This fantastically fun musical, winner of eight Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards including Best Musical, ran for seven successful years on Broadway. And now, the east valley and surrounding communities will be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this international smash-hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance — and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. It’s Hairspray, live on stage, in living color!

Tickets range from $18-25 and are on sale now. Groups of ten or more may purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street, Mesa, AZ at 480-644-6500 or by visiting http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/shows/theater/hairspray. Directions to the theatre can be found on the MAC website as well

Performances begin at Mesa Arts Center’s Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse on Friday, May 25th at 7:30 pm, with additional performances Saturday, May 26th at 7:30pm; Sunday, May 27th at 2:30pm; Thursday, May 31st at 7:30pm; Friday, June 1st at 7:30pm; Saturday, June 2nd at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, June 3rd at 2:30pm.

In Hairspray, it's 1962—the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion—to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray! Welcome to the '60s!

Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters. It features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, as well as an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. This production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Kyle C. Greene (2010-2011 ariZoni Award winner for Best Choreography with MET’s The Music Man). Musical Direction is provided by Mickey Bryce; Produced by Becky Martinez; Assistant Directed by Marisa Peck; Stage Managed by Wendy Smith; Costumes designed by Rebecca Willcox; Wigs and hair designed by Joe Navan. Hairspray is produced in cooperation with Music Theatre International.

Leading this cast of Hairspray as Tracy Turnblad is Megan Power (who was a finalist for the same role in the Broadway production) with valley favorite Jeff Davey (recently seen as Tateh in Ragtime) as her mother, Edna. Rounding out the rest of the cast are Rachel Dufresne as Amber Von Tussle, Katie Frederick as Penny Pingleton, Indiia Wilmott as Motormouth Maybell, Shari Watts as Velma Von Tussle, Tim Shafer as Wilbur Turnblad, Logan Mitchell as Link Larkin, Myles Vann as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Andy Izquierdo as Corny Collins, Becky Martinez as Female Authority Figure, Matt Crosby as Male Authority Figure, Camryn Haughton-Stewart as Little Inez; Ensemble: Tania Wiseman, Tina Khalil, Monica Domschot, Sarah Rodgers, Jared West, Jesse Thomas Foster, Rod Amez, Anthony Chavez, Zachary Payne, Matravius Avent, Nathan Luis, Danielle Flowers, Savannah Jones, Anne-Lise Koyabe and Sidne Phillips.

Mesa Encore Theatre, a non-profit 501c3, is an all-volunteer organization, and was founded in 1937, making it Arizona’s longest, continuously-running community theatre. For more information, please visit www.mesaencoretheatre.com.

Mesa Encore Theatre