High school students bring Hairspray to the stage
‘Energetic, lively, entertaining – you can’t stop the beat!’
PRHS Drama Instructor Marcy Goodnow, seated, directs a cast and crew chock full of talent in Paso High Theatre Company’s production of Hairspray – The Broadway Musical. Photos by Meagan Friberg.
Strengthen those vocal chords, bring along some dancing shoes, and head on over to the PRHS Performing Arts Center to catch a glimpse of Paso High Theatre Company’s final production of the school year as Hairspray – The Broadway Musical lights up the stage for two weekends in April.
Under the direction of PRHS Drama Instructor Marcy Goodnow, a cast and crew chock full of talent has been practicing songs, dances, and dialogue for the past several weeks. Now, with their first live performance only a few weeks away, the excitement among members of the theatre company is difficult to contain – and that’s just what Goodnow expects from her students.
“As we get closer to show time, the excitement builds,” Goodnow said. “And that’s a good thing – the audience will be able to feel the energy, I have no doubt about that.”
Chock full of social commentaries and civil rights references, Hairspray has witnessed a long run as both a multiple Tony-award-winning Broadway hit and in local theaters throughout the world.
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical is a musical-comedy set in early-60’s Baltimore and is based on the 1988 John Waters film starring Ricki Lake. In the PRHS production, sophomore Casey Galli plays the effervescent Tracy Turnblad who sees her dream of dancing on the The Corny Collins Show come to life. Chock full of social commentaries and civil rights references, the show has witnessed a long run as both a multiple Tony-award-winning Broadway hit and in local theaters throughout the world.
Ryan Ramos (Link), Logan Ferry (Edna), Hailey Pietz (Velma), Lyric Jefferson (Motormouth Mabel) and Teryn Steaffens (Wilbur ) are among several seniors that lend comedic and musical talent to the show in what will be their final production at the high school.
“The seniors, especially, are having a lot of fun with this, their last show,” Goodnow said. “With that being said, this is a fun production for everyone – from the newest actors to the more experienced – it’s just so alive. The audience will want to sing along with the cast – and that’s part of the fun as well.”
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical is a musical-comedy set in early-60’s Baltimore. PRHS sophomore Casey Galli takes on the lead role of the effervescent Tracy Turnblad.
With challenging roles and vivacious characters, the stage is full of talent yet there is no competition among the real-life actors, only encouragement, according to Goodnow.
“These kids take on challenging roles, support one another and deliver amazing performances time after time,” Goodnow said, “and with Hairspray I have seen their level of commitment to their craft grow tremendously. It’s such fun to watch.”
Carefully choreographed, from song and dance routines to set design, Hairspray brings a whole lot of shaking, shimmying and tons of fun to the stage. As the catchy tune from the show testifies – You Can’t Stop the Beat!
Catch the beat of Hairspray – The Broadway Musical at the PRHS Performing Arts Center,801 Niblick Road, on the weekend of April 4-6 or April 11-13; Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Parental discretion is advised, no children under age of 3. Adult tickets are $15, students/seniors/children 3-13, $12. Advanced ticket purchases are advised – order at prhsdrama.com. Limited tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to show. All seats are general seating – first come, first served. Handicap seating and assisted listening available on request.
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