By JON POTTER / Reformer Staff
Posted:
07/04/2013 03:00:00 AM EDT
Thursday July 4, 2013 BRATTLEBORO
-- Stephen Stearns wants you to get yourself a seat for the New England
Youth Theatre production of the hit musical "Hairspray."
Whether you actually sit in it or not is another story.
The senior company production of Tony Award-winning musical opens Friday and runs through July 13 ... and comes with a bit of a warning.
You may find yourself moved to leave your seat and dance in the aisles.
That’s what happened to Stearns when he went to see the show at the Weston Playhouse in 2007.
"I saw it in Weston, and I went back to see it a second time. We were all on our feet dancing to it. ... I came home and I said ‘We’re going to do it.’"
Then came the big job of making it happen. "Hairspray" requires a large cast, a big, rockin’ band, lots of singing and dancing and a number of roles requiring diversity in the cast.
The popularity of the show, combined with a two-month Facebook audition blitz gave Stearns all the people he needed -- 47 in the cast -- with a nice mix of NEYT veterans and newcomers.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, "Hairspray" features the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad who has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her new-found power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do.
While an upbeat musical about hair and dancing, "Hairspray" also hits on some more serious subjects. The definition of beauty and body image issues are prominent, and it delves into the racial prejudices of the time.
One of two actors cast as Tracy, Christine Reilly, 17, of Wilmington, is a huge fan of the show -- she and her sister have watched the movie a bunch of times. When she heard NEYT was casting for the show, she knew she wanted to audition, but there was just one problem.
"I had to choose between going to France or doing this show," said Reilly.
The fact that that’s even a tough choice should tell you everything you need to know about the show.
When the trip to France fell through, Reilly jumped at the chance.
"There’s not a lot of Broadway roles for chubby women. It’s a lot about image," said Reilly. "It’s really cool to be someone that’s different. ... People say to her ‘You’re too chubby to be in a show.’ But she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m chubby but I’m awesome."
"Awesome" comes up a lot when people talk about "Hairspray." Stearns is directing a big, bold, beautiful cast, Allie Lubin leads a rocking eight-piece band and an eager grew of techies are all pouring every ounce of energy into delivering the show’s relevant messages and oh-so-catchy songs.
"It’s got these great, great songs which are so wonderful," said Stearns. "It’s really the best music that’s been written in the last 30 years. It’s sassy and very cute and very funny."
"Hairspray" features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.
Performances will be Fridays, July 5 and 12, Saturdays, July 6 and 13, Tuesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11, at 7 p.m. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, July 6 and 13, and Sunday, July 7. All performances are at NEYT, 100 Flat St.
Tickets for these performances are $11 for students, $13 for seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.NEYT.org, or at the NEYT Box Office in person, or by phone at 802-246-6398, from noon to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays.
New England Youth Theatre is an accessible theater, with accommodations for wheelchairs, and Assistive Listening Devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.
Sponsors include 1st Advantage Dental and Scissor Masters. New England Youth Theatre is also supported by Foard Panel, the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund, Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Whether you actually sit in it or not is another story.
The senior company production of Tony Award-winning musical opens Friday and runs through July 13 ... and comes with a bit of a warning.
You may find yourself moved to leave your seat and dance in the aisles.
That’s what happened to Stearns when he went to see the show at the Weston Playhouse in 2007.
"I saw it in Weston, and I went back to see it a second time. We were all on our feet dancing to it. ... I came home and I said ‘We’re going to do it.’"
Then came the big job of making it happen. "Hairspray" requires a large cast, a big, rockin’ band, lots of singing and dancing and a number of roles requiring diversity in the cast.
The popularity of the show, combined with a two-month Facebook audition blitz gave Stearns all the people he needed -- 47 in the cast -- with a nice mix of NEYT veterans and newcomers.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, "Hairspray" features the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad who has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her new-found power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do.
While an upbeat musical about hair and dancing, "Hairspray" also hits on some more serious subjects. The definition of beauty and body image issues are prominent, and it delves into the racial prejudices of the time.
One of two actors cast as Tracy, Christine Reilly, 17, of Wilmington, is a huge fan of the show -- she and her sister have watched the movie a bunch of times. When she heard NEYT was casting for the show, she knew she wanted to audition, but there was just one problem.
"I had to choose between going to France or doing this show," said Reilly.
The fact that that’s even a tough choice should tell you everything you need to know about the show.
When the trip to France fell through, Reilly jumped at the chance.
"There’s not a lot of Broadway roles for chubby women. It’s a lot about image," said Reilly. "It’s really cool to be someone that’s different. ... People say to her ‘You’re too chubby to be in a show.’ But she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m chubby but I’m awesome."
"Awesome" comes up a lot when people talk about "Hairspray." Stearns is directing a big, bold, beautiful cast, Allie Lubin leads a rocking eight-piece band and an eager grew of techies are all pouring every ounce of energy into delivering the show’s relevant messages and oh-so-catchy songs.
"It’s got these great, great songs which are so wonderful," said Stearns. "It’s really the best music that’s been written in the last 30 years. It’s sassy and very cute and very funny."
"Hairspray" features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.
Performances will be Fridays, July 5 and 12, Saturdays, July 6 and 13, Tuesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11, at 7 p.m. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, July 6 and 13, and Sunday, July 7. All performances are at NEYT, 100 Flat St.
Tickets for these performances are $11 for students, $13 for seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.NEYT.org, or at the NEYT Box Office in person, or by phone at 802-246-6398, from noon to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays.
New England Youth Theatre is an accessible theater, with accommodations for wheelchairs, and Assistive Listening Devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.
Sponsors include 1st Advantage Dental and Scissor Masters. New England Youth Theatre is also supported by Foard Panel, the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund, Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
