Hairspray the musical

A bold and brash musical – with big hearts and beehives – will make Limelight Theatre’s stage come alive this June. Adapted from the original 1988 John Waters movie, Hairspray is set in 1962 Baltimore and follows “pleasantly plump” teenager Tracy Turnblad and her dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, she becomes an overnight celebrity and launches a campaign to let the African-American teens dance with the white kids. Described as a social commentary on 1960s injustices in American society, Hairspray was first adapted into a Broadway musical in 2002 with an original score by Marc Shaiman (music and lyric co-writer for South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and Scott Wittman. The musical was then adapted into a 2007 film with John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron. Director Terry Pirlo emphasised it was a fun show full of singing and dancing, taking the audience right back to the early 1960s. “Hairspray has your quintessential good and bad characters that bring to life the cultural differences at the time,” he said. “Tracy Turnblad is a determined young lady who wants to integrate these two societies – plus there’s the usual teen love story where boy and girl finally end up together at the end." Hairspray plays at 8pm, June 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22 with 2pm matinees June 15 and 22 – tickets are $20 adults, $17 concession. Book on 9571 8591 between 9am and midday, Monday to Friday, or online at www.limelighttheatre.com. Limelight Theatre is located on Civic Drive, Wanneroo.