Marquee Productions to Stage HAIRSPRAY This Winter

Marquee Productions will present the popular rousing musical smash hit Hairspray December 2 through 11 at the historic Montgomery Theater (271 Market Street, downtown San Jose). Tickets go on sale to the general public October 18 at www.cmtsj.org or by calling 408-288-5437.

A CMT Marquee favorite, Hairspray takes audiences back to 1960s Baltimore, with the story of Tracy Turnblad, a progressive - and irrepressible - teenage outsider chasing her dreams. She believes in herself, even in the face of vicious bullies, deep-seated prejudice and seemingly insurmountable odds. Along the way, this plus-sized heroine makes some new friends in detention, picks up some real neat dance moves, becomes a local TV star, changes a lot of minds and even gets the guy! The catchy score includes rhythm and blues, bouncy pop, plenty of teen angst, and a very timely parable about race relations that still resonate today. Tracy's refusal to accept social injustice and the status quo inspires us all to fight for what's right; you can't stop the beat in this uproarious, hilarious, bright and bold musical!

Each season, the two annual Marquee Productions featuring a cast of CMT alumni as well as many working actors from the Bay Area, have become a CMT tradition, highlighting the company's full artistic potential with high-caliber professional level entertainment.

Doug Santana and Mark Martinez, two popular Bay Area actors will reprise their roles of Edna and Wilbur Turnblad which they played to great acclaim when CMT premiered Hairspray in 2010. Doug, a CMT alum, is the director of the theater department at Mitty High School in San Jose. Motormouth Mable will be played by CMT Board Chair (and alum) Joy Osborne, who works for Palo Alto Networks and Mary Theresa Capriles, who most recently appeared on CMT stage as Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, plays Velma Von Tussle. The full cast for Hairspray can be found online at cmtsj.org (http://bit.ly/2dHSoCW).

The performance schedule for Hairspray playing Dec. 2-11 at The Montgomery Theater (271 Market Street in San Jose) is:

Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m.
Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 1 p.m.

There is also a special student matinee presented on Friday December 2 at 10:00 am.

For tickets and more information, visit www.cmtsj.org.

Marquee Productions, a division of CMT San Jose-the longest thriving arts organization in Silicon Valley-made its debut in 2005 with a goal to reengage CMT alumni performers, who donate their performance time as a benefit to the organization. Now in its 49th year, CMT (Children's Musical Theatre San Jose) is the oldest performing arts organization in San Jose. Through musical theater, CMT educates and trains today's youth to become the artists, patrons, and citizens of tomorrow.

About Artistic Director Kevin Hauge - In his second decade as artistic director at CMT, Kevin has led the nation's leading theater company for youth in taking on increasingly challenging and professional quality productions. His innovative approach includes incorporating modern techniques and technology, all culminating in recognition of artistic excellence from the National Endowment for the Arts for nine consecutive years. In 2016 Silicon Valley Creates honored Kevin for lifetime achievement and community impact with their Legacy Laureate Award. Kevin is also a recipient of the prestigious Lin Wright Special Recognition Award by the American Alliance for Theater and Education, and has been the guest speaker at the International Association of Theater Educators Conference in Washington D.C. and the Education and Technology conference in New York City. He has collaborated on productions in a variety of venues all over the world. He has staged ice shows, magic shows, musical revues, industrial shows, corporate parties, television specials and book musicals for a variety of companies, including Tropworld, Harrah's, Six Flags Parks, and Royal Viking Cruise Lines (worldwide). Some of the unique productions Kevin has worked on include You're In the Movies (MGM Grand) in Las Vegas, World of Wonders (Everland) in Seoul, South Korea, and a special Easter Celebration (The White House) in Washington D.C. Kevin has appeared several times as a guest artist with the San Jose Symphony and has served on the exhibits committee at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

CMT, a nationally acclaimed theater organization, honored 10 times by the NEA and the oldest performing arts organization in San Jose, is celebrating its 49th year. Since 1968, throughout the time CMT San Jose has been an integral part of the South Bay arts community, over 50,000 young people have participated in their programs. Last season alone, CMT cast over 1200 performers and performed for 40,000 audience members, including 8,000 young people at Student Matinees. A key provider of life building opportunities for youth in Silicon Valley, CMT remains committed to its mission to train and educate today's youth through musical theater to set and achieve high artistic and personal goals and to inspire them to become exemplary artists, patrons and citizens of tomorrow. Inclusiveness and quality are the two touchstones of CMT's vision. CMT is dedicated to providing the highest possible caliber of musical and theatrical training to children from ages 4 to 20, spanning all abilities and stands behind its promise never turn a child away, regardless of financial or physical limitations.