When NBC airs “Hairspray Live!” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, the dancing skills of a Warsaw Community High School graduate will be part of the broadcast. Wyatt Slone, who graduated this year, will be part of the Philadelphia, Pa., dancers who will get some air time during the live show. In a telephone interview midday Monday, Slone said during commercial breaks of “Hairspray Live!,” dancing groups from five U.S. cities will be featured, including Philadelphia. Slone auditioned in Philadelphia in “early, early November,”?he said. Out of more than 100 college students who auditioned, 20 were selected, including him. He was notified a couple days after the audition. They will get to work with NBC?Productions, take part in viewing parties and entertain at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. “We get our own segment as well” during the live broadcast, Slone said. Each city will get at least a 45-second cut, with the cities competing against each other. “It’s exciting,” Slone said. According to KimmelCenter.org, “NBC10 and The Kimmel Center will host the viewing party on Wednesday, December 7, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. inside the Perelman Theater of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. As a homage to Philadelphia’s long history of music and dance, the event will feature performances by First Ladies of Rock and Soul, the Upper Darby Summer Stage Shooting Stars, and special appearances by Bobby Rydell and American Bandstand sweethearts Bunny Gibson and Steve Colanero.” On Wednesday, Slone said they’re going to the filming location for hair, makeup and costume. During the live broadcast, Slone said people can look for him in front of the group, wearing a pale yellow suit with a red bow tie. His dance partner, Alexis Hasbrouck, will be wearing a red dress with black polka dots. “We’re dancing in front of a live production. We’re entertaining throughout the night and we have no idea when we’re going live,” he said. Slone said the Philadelphia group has rehearsed a lot. He said NBC has been so kind and the experience has been fun. “If you all watch long enough, you’ll catch me at some point,” he promised. Slone and Hasbrouck both are freshmen at Rider University in New Jersey. “I’m really glad to be out East because there are so many more opportunities,” the freshman said. He added that he just auditioned for a new show that’s in development. “It’s really exciting because dance is what has made me a happier person,” he said. Dana McAfee, WCHS drama teacher, said Slone was in all the shows during his high school career, such as Rolf in “The Sound of Music” and the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz.” He was in McAfee’s select theater class and in the advance dance ensemble. “He worked extremely hard at what he did,” McAfee said. She said Slone’s first love was dance, so his dancing was showcased in shows whenever possible. Slone said during his last year of high school, he focused more on dance. He danced with Astound Dance Academy in Warsaw. According to NBC’s website, "Hairspray Live!" based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on "The Corny Collins Show," a local TV program. When against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show." "Hairspray Live!" stars newcomer Maddie Baillio, Dove Cameron, Kristin Chenoweth, Garrett Clayton, Harvey Fierstein, Ariana Grande, Derek Hough, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short, Ephraim Sykes and Shahadi Wright Joseph, with special appearances by Billy Eichner, Sean Hayes, Andrea Martin and Rosie O'Donnell.
