Penobscot Theatre Company Presents HAIRSPRAY This Weekend

Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy is readying for its first youth production of the summer, Hairspray. Set in Baltimore in the late 1960s, this hit Broadway musical follows big-haired and big-hearted Tracy Turnblad, a spunky teenager who realizes her dream of dancing on a popular television program then launches a campaign to integrate the show. "As a musical theatre junkie, I am thrilled to be producing Hairspray," said Christie Robinson, who is directing along with Ben Layman, assisted by Alek Sayers. "A feel-good, sparkly musical with big dance numbers, big notes, and big hair? What's not to love?"

Performances are at the Bangor Opera House, tonight, July 18 and the 19th at 7:00 pm and July 20 at 2:00 pm.Tickets may be purchased online at www.penobscottheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 942-3333. Adult tickets are $12 and children are $8 each.

Forty-six young people, aged 4-19, from Bangor and surrounding towns will fill-out the colorful cast of characters: Katherine Adam, Zackeri Alley, Hannah Box, Robert Brangwynne, Elisabeth Budd, Stella Burns, Mikayla Burridge, Luke Cote, Alex Creaser, Sarah Danby, Ruby El-Hajj, Pheona El-Hajj, Elizabeth Fessenden, Lily Finch, Danielle Grover, Yosmauri Guzman Lzuzman, Molly Hagerty, Delaney Hartley, Macey Jennings, Maia Johnson, Brooke Jones, Conor Kenny, Charlotte King, Nolan Kuhl, Aryam Lebron, Asia Mallory, Sydney McDonald, Tien Misler, Laura Mock, Sophia Mullins, Daniel Perkins, Connor Plante, Brandon Plante, Francesca Pound, Elise Powers, Eleanor Prescott, Gwyneth Ravenscraft, Paige Ravenscraft, Daniel Rice, Aydan Rudolph, Byron Sockalexis, Aleczander Stanley, Alyssa Stubbs, Claire Thompson, Charlotte Turner, and Megan Ward.

In addition to directing, Christie Robinson is choreographing the production with musical direction by Phil and Tina Burns and technical direction by Tricia Hobbs. The scenic design is by Hobbs and rounding-out the design team are Alyssa McLean and Carl Wahlstrom on lighting and sound respectively.

Jasmine Ireland, PTC's former director of education and outreach, will lead the program's second summer session, July 28-August 15, bringing to life adventure-filled stories inspired by classic Greek myths. Ben Layman will direct productions in each session.

Registration for Session 2 remains open to students aged 4-20, and no previous experience oraudition is required. Classes will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm (lunch optional, 12:00-1:00 pm) for students aged 4-6; 9:00 am-4:00 pm for students aged 7-13; and1:00-8:00 pm for students aged 14-20.

For more information, visit www.penobscottheatre.org and click on the Education tab.