Theatre students stage Tony Award-winning musical 'Hairspray'

KALAMAZOO--University Theatre at Western Michigan University will stage the Tony Award-winning musical "Hairspray" April 12-21 at the Gilmore Theatre Complex's Shaw Theatre.

• Purchase tickets online
  wmutheatre.com

Performance schedule

• Thursday, April 12, at 8 p.m.
• Friday, April 13, at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 14, at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m.
• Thursday, April 19, at 8 p.m.
• Friday, April 20, at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 21, at 2 and 8 p.m.

"Hairspray" follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair, big dance moves, and an even bigger heart, as she becomes an overnight teenage sensation by using music and dance to conquer racial divides.

Jay Berkow, associate professor of theatre, will direct the all-student cast, which includes: Demi Zaino, Blair Grotbeck, Ellen Jenders, Kasady Kwiatkowska, Todd Tuchek, Alicia Humphrey, Danielle Campbell, Kevin Watson, Tia Pinson, Lauren Kerbs, Bello Pizzimenti, Tanissa Williams, Molly Weidig, Patrick Connaghan, Julie Baird, Madeline Acquaviva, Austin Bluhm, Lexi Plath, Kellie Goddard, Colton Steele, James Murray, Ashley Owens, Ben Andre, Kevin Nietzel, Sean Buckley, Sophia Araoz, Phillip McClellan, Lauren Kerbs, Anica DeGraff, Ashley Owens, Kiaya Cheyenne, Elijah Curry, Este'fan Kizer, Bello Pizzimenti, Meridith Keller, Abbey Clark, Madeline Acquaviva, Lexi Plath, Phillip McClellan, Zach Bezdziecki, Kevin Nietzel, Joey Simon, Nick Graffagna, Tanissa Williams, Nick Thornton and Alicia Humphrey.

Special guest artist and WMU alumnus Nick Dalton joins the creative team as the choreographer. Music is by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Whittman.

Encore Cabaret

Enjoy free Encore Cabaret performances by graduating seniors of WMU's Music Theatre Performance program following the show. Cabarets will be held in the atrium lobby Friday, April 13; Saturday, April 14; Thursday, April 19; and Friday, April 20.

Tickets

Tickets for "Hairspray" at Shaw Theatre are $20, $15 for senior citizens and WMU employees, $5 for WMU students and $10 for all other students. They are available by calling (269) 387-6222, online at wmutheatre.com, or by visiting the Gilmore Theatre Complex or Miller Auditorium ticket offices. Group discounts are available by calling (269) 387-3227.

For more information, contact Emily Duguay, University Theatre, at @email or (269) 387-6222.