York Stage Musicals present Hairspray
Grand Opera House York
Friday 27 March – Saturday 4 April
York Stage Musicals are looking to build on their recent success of Sister Act when they present West End and Broadway smash hit, HAIRSPRAY the musical. This production will mark the show’s very first time on a professional stage in York and will play at the Grand Opera House during Easter half term from 27 March to 4 April 2015.
As one of the city’s leading theatre companies YSM have a reputation for producing some of the best theatre in the region using predominantly local talent. This was reflected in their critically acclaimed production of Sister Act which attracted the talents of ‘I’d Do Anything’ finalist and West End star Cleopatra Rey who played ‘Deloris Van Cartier’.
Showcasing the very best local talent, newcomers Maya Tether will play Tracy Turnblad, Conor Mellor as Link Larkin and Maya Bartley O’Dea as Penny Pingleton. York stage regulars Joe Wawrzyniak and Toni Feetenby will make a change from their usual roles playing larger than life Edna, Tracy’s mother and villainous Velma Von Tussle, TV producer of The Corny Collins Show respectively. York singer/songwriter Jess Gardham will play DJ Motormouth Maybelle. Supporting them are professional actors Veronica Hart and Jemma Genaus who will play The Supremes-inspired Dynamites and Jemal Felix as Seaweed J. Stubbs who understudied the role in a recent professional touring production.
The acting company are complimented by a team of professional design and technical personnel, who have worked with Northern Ballet, Chichester Festival Theatre and York Theatre Royal among others.
Jessica Hardcastle, director and choreographer for HAIRSPRAY says; “We have attracted a team of talented individuals both on and off stage. Lighting is designed by Nick Duncan with Jo Keogh as wardrobe mistress, both of whom worked on the York Theatre Royal pantomime”.
Hairspray follows the plight of loveable teen-dreamer Tracy Turnblad who is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart who becomes the unexpected star of local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show, much to the frustration of the TV station’s villainous producer, Velma Von Tussle.
The back drop for Hairspray is 1960’s Baltimore, US where black is black and white is white and ‘pleasantly plump’ girls certainly don’t dance on TV. Never shy of standing up for what she believes in, Tracy launches a riotous campaign to integrate The Corny Collins Show. As she dances her way into the nation’s hearts and helps her mother turn from frumpy 50’s house wife to swinging 60’s chick, Tracy falls for fellow TV star and teen-idol Link Larkin while her gawky, ever-loyal best-friend Penny Pingleton catches the eye of a guy from the ‘wrong side’ of town.
With an original soundtrack of swinging-sixties-style tunes, such as Good Morning Baltimore, Welcome to the 60’s and You Can’t Stop The Beat Hairspray will be sure to have audiences mash-potato-ing all the way home.
Winner of eight Tony Awards, HAIRSPRAY has played to sold out houses in London, Broadway and theatres across the globe.
“Ticket sales indicate this show is a very popular choice with the York audience, so buy yours now to avoid disappointment”, says YSM Artistic Director, Nik Briggs, to anyone wanting to come and see the show.