FST's Winter Mainstage Season Begins with HAIRSPRAY

FST opens the Winter Mainstage Season with the energetic and colorful production of Hairspray based on the film by John Waters, with book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Hairspray opens on November 15 and runs in the Gompertz Theatre through January 4, 2015. Subscriptions for all four shows can be purchased for as little as $49 online at Floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

It's not just sky-high hair and dazzling dance moves. While these elements certainly keep you entertained, there's a lot more going on in this Tony Award Winning musical. It all started with the John Waters film back in 1988. This funky fringe film first introduced characters now synonymous with the creative and eccentric, John Waters. Tracy Turnblad, Motormouth Maybell, and Seaweed are just a few of the outsiders who stand against the Amber Von Tussles of 1960s Baltimore society. Leading the band of outcasts is Tracy, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart. She has only one passion - to dance. Winning a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show", overnight, she transforms from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.

Playing the role of Tracy and making her FST debut is Brooke Shapiro. In preparation for this role, Shapiro shares her connection to this show stating, "This will be my third time playing the role of Tracy in Hairspray. This role has made me feel much more comfortable in my own skin. Growing up as someone who is considered on the heavier side in a society that primarily focuses on looks wasn't always easy. Tracy has made me realize that it does not matter what you look like on the outside, it matters what's in your heart. Her character allows her dreams to drive her life. I think letting passion lead the way is an excellent way to live."

Passion is a key ingredient in the recipe of this inspiring and entertaining piece of theatre.
Bringing this dynamic, lovably offbeat cast of characters to life is Broadway Director and choreographer, Richard Stafford. Stafford has worked in the theatre business for over 25 years. His previous credits include productions such as In My Life (Music Box Theatre), Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), and CATS (Winter Garden Theatre). Stafford has directed all across the United States with various productions in New York, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and North Carolina. His international credits include a production of CATS in both Copenhagen, Denmark and Sao Paulo/Rio, Brazil as well as Evita in Sydney, Australia. This is Stafford's second time directing Hairspray.

This 21 member cast also includes Greg London as Edna, and Jennifer Fouche as Motomouth Maybell. This is London's second time playing the role of Edna. His previous credits include tours of West Side Story and Street Car Named Desire along with productions of Macbeth and Fiddler on the Roof.

Fouche returns to the role of Motormouth Maybell for a second time as well. Her previous theatre credits include Hamlet, Freedom Train, and Ain't Misbehavin.

Fouche described her experience in the audition process for this show stating, "Often, the audition process is a somewhat stressful experience; it's just the nature of the beast. What was so lovely about coming in to audition for this production was the overall positive energy of everyone involved. We were talking and laughing as we waited to read or sing and I think that is a direct result of how much fun Hairspray is. We all love the show and the feeling it inspires in both the actors and the audiences. It's just a feel-good show. "

Hairspray takes audiences on a journey where the outsiders rise up and become heroes of society.
The daring dances and electric energy that shape this musical all come together with the deeper themes of racial integration, self-expression, and the freedom to love. A Broadway hit since 2002, this show won eight Tony Awards in 2003 and ran for over 2,500 performances. It closed in January of 2009. The New York Times calls it, "Endearing " with "Canny, deliriously, tuneful songs." The Chicago Tribune weighs in calling it, "Infectiously funny."

Hairspray opens in the Gompertz Theatre on November 15, 2014. The production runs through January 4, 2015. Subscriptions for all four shows can be purchased for as little as $49 online at Floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

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