Photos: Bethany Slomka & John Massey In HAIRSPRAY At San Diego Musical Theatre

San Diego Musical Theatre invites you to take a special sneak peek at the cast of it's upcoming production of Hairspray. Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Book, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs. Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Hairspray will be directed by J. Scott Lapp (SDMT's First Date, The Prince of Egypt, Bonnie & Clyde), with choreography by Jill Gorrie (SDMT's Singin' in the Rain, 42nd Street, Damn Yankees), and music direction by Don LeMaster. Hairspray runs August 3 - September 2, 2018 at the historic Horton Grand Theatre, with press opening on Saturday, August 4 at 8:00 PM.

It's 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, and quirky, plus-sized, teenage Tracy Turnblad has One Dream: to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When she gets put in detention with the African-American students in the school, they teach her some of their dance moves, and her newfound groove wins her a spot on Corny's show. Overnight, Tracy transforms from a nobody into a star, and uses her newfound influence to advocate for racial integration on the television show. With the help of the teenage heartthrob Link, host Corny Collins, and Motormouth Maybelle, Tracy overcomes the odds and succeeds in her mission to integrate The Corny Collins Show. Tony Award-winning Hairspray continues to be one of the most widely produced musicals today, not only because of its wit and charm, but also because of the beautiful message of acceptance and progress that it portrays.

Bethany Slomka (Tracy Turnblad) is grateful to be back at SDMT playing her favorite girl! You may remember her on our stage as The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat back in 2011 and in the ensemble of Ragtime and 9 to 5. Select Favorites: Tracy in Hairspray (SD Rep, Welk Resort) Maureen in Rent (Welk Resort), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act (Moonlight), and DeeDee in Suds (NVA). Thank you to Jeremy, Jill, Don and everyone at SDMT for this incredible opportunity. Forever grateful to family and friends for the never ending love and support! Thank YOU for supporting live theater and witnessing this important and timeless piece of theater. Enjoy the show! For my Nonnie&Gpa

John Massey* (Edna Turnblad) National Tours: Happy Days (Howard Cunningham); For SDMT: The Producers (Max Bialystock); First Date (Man #3); The Fully Monty (inaugural production) (Dave). Other Regional: Newsies (Governor Roosevelt); The Graduate with Melanie Griffith; Twelve Angry Men (Juror #7); The Odd Couple (Roy); Marry Poppins (George Banks); Guys & Dolls (Nicely), Gunmetal Blues (The Piano Player), The Wizard of Oz (Lion); ...Forum (Pseudolus); Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye); Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd). Also, an accomplished pianist, music director, and stage director. His online piano bar show: Noodlin' With Massey is growing a world-wide audience (look for it on Facebook!). Love to Mary, Sharon, Katy, Scott, and Charlie. Proud member of Actors Equity. For Mom & Dad.? www.johnmasseyonline.com

The creative team for Hairspray includes: J. Scott Lapp (Director), Jill Gorrie (Choreographer), Don LeMaster (Music Director), Michelle Miles (Lighting Design), Janet Pitcher (Costume Design), Mike Buckley (Set Design), Peter Herman (Wig/Hair Design), Heather Longfellow (Properties Design), Kevin Anthenill (Sound Design), Neil Dale (Production Manager), Steve Longfellow (Technical Director), and Marie Jahelka* (Stage Manager).

Performances for Hairspray run August 3 - September 2, 2018 at the Horton Grand Theatre in San Diego's Gaslamp district. Showtimes for Hairspray are Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays at 8:00 PM, Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM. For more information on Hairspray and SDMT's 2018 Season, call the box office at (858) 560-5740 or visit www.sdmt.org.