Twenty five dances and songs, numerous rehearsals and six show dates. “Hairspray”, is the spring musical for this year.
Tracy is the main character and as a girl in the 1960s who is overweight. She is bullied, but the experience helps shape her and she sticks up for others such as the African Americans, who were still segregated at this time.
“Hairspray is about prejudice in all forms,” Judi Greene, theatre teacher and director of the musical, said. Tracy’s dream is to be on the Corny Collins show and she jumps at the chance she is given to audition and makes it on the show. As the musical progresses, she tries to help desegregate the station and win the heart of Link, the male star of the Corny Collins Show.
The leading part of Tracy, will be played by Gabby Mancuso, sophomore. Hairspray is her first lead role at MHS, but she has been in other plays before at MHS and in other venues.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity and I love working on it and how much fun I have with everyone,” Mancuso said.
Link, the love interest of Tracy will be played by PJ Palmer, junior. This is not his first work on stage as he has preformed in plays and musicals at the Muny before. Nonetheless, he said this play is one of his favorites,
“I love this play and rehearsing because every day is a new and fun experience,” Palmer said.
The musical this year has a MHS alumnus come back from New York to choreograph the dances for “Hairspray”.
“We’re very excited and grateful to have his help for our production,” Greene said.
However no show comes without difficulty.
“Musicals are always harder than plays because there is more to work on and more songs and dances to learn,” Greene said. “Practices are longer and the rehearsing starts earlier, but it’s worth it in the end.”
The cast and crew have been rehearsing for over two months since the beginning of auditions.
“This has been an extremely exciting and entertaining musical to work with. The entire cast and crew has had a wonderful time working on it,” Greene said.
The show premiers Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m., other show dates are Saturday, March 5, Thursday, March 10, Friday, March 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. as well and one matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6.