Olmsted Performing Arts' HAIRSPRAY Plays This Weekend

This month, Olmsted Performing Arts (OPA) in Olmsted Falls will present "Hairspray" this weekend, April 10 - 12. It is the award winning musical with dancing, crushes, heartbreaks and stardom. It is the award winning musical with dancing, crushes, heartbreaks and stardom.

Set in 1960s Baltimore, where teenagers have bright colors and big hair, listen to the radio for the newest dance hits, and watch TV for the newest dreamboat stars, the life of a teenager is all about popularity. Tracy Turnblad is not popular, she is a social outcast but her feisty positive spirit and her dance moves lead her to stardom and she now has her chance for love with the heartthrob Link Larkin. "Hairspray" won multiple awards on Broadway and has been performed many times on the big screen on television and across the country. Now is the chance for Greater Cleveland music fans to see it in person, to enjoy all the hits and all the fun, at the Olmsted Performing Arts Center(OPAC).

"The best thing about 'Hairspray' is that it is a show about equality, love, acceptance and dreams wrapped in a neon and jewel-toned package," says OPA director Christina Haviland Baratta. "It is a show that takes you by surprise, because the message is so much fun! It doesn't beat you over the head with themes, it sneaks up on you and gives you a big kiss and says 'I love you no matter your differences!' Wonderfully catchy tunes, colorful costumes and a talented group bring it to life."

Cast members of "Hairspray" at OPA include Tara Corkery as Tracy Turnblad, Rich Stimac as Edna Turnblad, Nick Angiocchi as Corny Collins, Tessa Hongosh as Penny Pingleton, Riley Kushner as Velma von Tussle, Megan Nicole as Amber von Tussle, Bailey Hyde as Link Larkin and Brandon Smith as Seaweed J. Stubbs. The show includes energetic, big musical number like "Run and Tell That," "Big, Blonde and Beautiful," "You Can't Stop the Beat," and "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now." The music for "Hairspray" was written by Marc Shairman, with lyrics by Marc Shainman and Scott Wittman, based on a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan and based on a movie directed by John Waters.

"Hairspray" at OPA will be performed at the OPAC the weekend of Friday April 10. Performance dates and times are April 10 at 7:30 p.m., April 11 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 2:30 p.m. The OPA production of "Hairspray" will be directed by Christina Haviland Baratta with choreography by Josh Landis. Angela Boehm is producer.

The Olmsted Performing Arts Center is located at 6941 Columbia Road, Olmsted Falls, OH. Tickets to "Hairspray" are $15 - $20 and available now online at www.opatickets.com or over the phone by calling (440) 235-6722.

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