SD Rep and SD School of Creative & Performing Arts Team Up For HAIRSPRAY, Closes 8/15

SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE is thrilled to announce a partnership with the SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS to present Southern California's first regional production of the hit musical comedy HAIRSPRAY. For the first time in local theatre history, a select group of high school students from SCPA will be joining professional actors on stage for this big fat, gorgeous musical. Directed by San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam WoodHOUSE with assistance from SCPA's Artistic Director RICHARD TRUJILLO, the REP's presentation of HAIRSPRAY will mark the first time the musical has been produced as a regional theatre production in Sothern California. SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE'S partnership with SCPA also marks the first collaboration of its kind that teams up a local professional theatre with a performing arts high school. This summer's production of HAIRSPRAY at The Lyceum Theatre will be the first play in SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE's 2010-2011 Season. (The rest of the lineup will be announced at a later date). Performances end Sunday, August 15, 2010.

"San Diego REP has wanted for years to return to our tradition of producing a big, splashy summer entertainment," says San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam WoodHOUSE. "HAIRSPRAY is the perfect show for this ground breaking partnership between a professional theatre and a performing arts high school: the story of the musical calls for high school and college age performers, dancing and singing their young hearts out as they fight for inclusion on a well known television dance show. I am thrilled to be able to put on our stage a mix of accomplished professional actors and the high energy young singers and dancers of our city."

"SCPA is committed to providing challenging opportunities for our students," says Mitzi Lizarraga, Principal of the SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS. "Through an authentic artistic and academic approach to education, our students recognize how the arts can change the course of history. HAIRSPRAY is our focus for this year's summer intensive and this production will allow more than 120 SCPA students to gain a deeper understanding of the 1960s American social injustices and how music can be a bridge to bring people together. Our partnership with San Diego REPertory Theatre will allow our students to learn from professional artists while honing their craft as performers or working behind-the-scenes."

The Story Behind HAIRSPRAY
It's 1962 in Baltimore. The 50's are gone and change is in the air. Tracy Turblad is a spunky young teenager who has one goal-to win the hearts of millions with her big hair and larger-than-life dance moves. She comes one step closer to becoming a big star when she wins a spot on the local TV dance program "The Corny Collins Show." Overnight, Tracy is transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the TV show's reigning princess, win over heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her spectacular 'do? Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, Tracy Turnblad's campaign for integration embraces the significant themes of equality, personal image and learning to love the person you are.

Based on John Waters cult film of 1988, HAIRSPRAY is clearly a stage triumph-winner of an astonishing 33 Tony®, Olivier and Drama Desk Awards, including those for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Lyrics.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE
San Diego REPertory Theatre produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. The REP promotes a more inclusive community through vivid works that nourish progressive political and social values and celebrate the multiple voices of our region. San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. Established in 1976, the REP was founded by Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and D.W. Jacobs. Currently in its 34th season, San Diego REPertory Theatre has presented 266 productions and world premieres, including It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, the Tony®-nominated musical which played on Broadway for nine months in 1999.

ABOUT SCPA
SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS (SCPA) is a college preparatory arts-focused San Diego Unified magnet public school for students in grades 6 through 12 who have a strong interest and passion in the arts. SCPA alumni are an extensive and impressive group who have attended UCLA, Juilliard, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Boston Conservatory, and numerous prestigious universities, colleges and conservatories throughout the United States. SCPA counts 5 Tony Award® winners among its alumni along with countless others working professionally in the artistic arena. For more information about SCPA and upcoming performances, please visit www.scpa.sandi.net.

The REP's box office is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12pm-6pm on non-performance days and 12pm until curtain on performance days. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. For more information, please see our website at www.sdrep.org.
Subscriptions run $68-$282. The REP offers subscribers an extensive package of benefits, including the lowest prices available; free ticket exchange privileges; discounts on individual tickets; and the opportunity to upgrade to a Premier Patron Package which features seating in the best 75 seats in each theatre venue. Premier Patron seating also offers an additional voucher for a friend and free drink coupons for the season.

Find out more about San Diego REPertory Theatre on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP)

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