Eight-Time Tony Award-Winning 'Hairspray' Coming To WWT
Posted
Staff Report-
It’s time to shimmy and shake on out to the hippest show this side of Baltimore as The Wagon Wheel Theatre presents “Hairspray, The Stage Musical” Wednesday through July 2. “Hairspray” follows the regional premiere of “Tarzan” as the second show making its debut on the Wagon Wheel stage this summer. Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has an affinity for dancing. So when she wins a spot on “The Corny Collins (television) Show”, Turnblad becomes an unlikely overnight celebrity. Her infectious personality and wholesome authenticity challenges a close-minded population of the 1960s and turns the television show and the nation upside down. Tracy pioneers the show’s integration and teaches others about inner beauty. “Hairspray”, based on the 1988 John Waters film starring Ricki Lake, developed such a following it was adapted into a Broadway musical. “Hairspray”’s big screen and home video success paled in comparison to the stage version, which won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2003. In 2007, Hollywood once again attempted to cash in on the “Hairspray” phenomenon by releasing a new version of the film starring John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer. The movie quickly became the fourth highest grossing musical film in U.S. cinema history. Now in its 56th season of shows, The Wagon Wheel Theatre is the best venue in the area to see professional productions off-Broadway, holding auditions annually in New York, Chicago and Western Michigan University (a hot bed for up-and-coming talent).Adult tickets are $30 for all shows, tickets for students 13 through college are $16, and children 12 and under are $12. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or visit the Wagon Wheel website at wagonwheeltheatre.com
