The cast of Hairspray Jr. at Howard County Summer Theatre. Photo provided by Howard County Summer Theatre.
Welcome to the 60s! Hairspray Jr, currently playing at Howard County Summer Theatre, proves that ‘you can’t stop the beat.’ This family friendly musical has everything – laughter, romance, and songs that make you want to get up and dance with the ‘nicest kids in town.’ Adapted from the Broadway production that won eight Tony Awards, Hairspray Jr. highlights our hometown and celebrates diversity.
…songs that make you want to get up and dance with the ‘nicest kids in town.’
It’s 1962, and Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with a big dream – to dance on the ‘Corny Collins’ show. When she finally gets her chance, she’s a sudden star. Tracy uses her newfound fame to fight for justice – dethroning Amber von Tussle as Miss Teen Hairspray and integrating the TV network. With the help of her mom, Edna, and guest DJ, Motormouth Maybelle, Tracy proves that anything is possible…. even love between a plus-sized girl and a teenage heartthrob.
With lots of spunk, Megan Radcliffe shone in her role as Tracy… keeping her spirits high even when confined to a jail cell after her first attempt to integrate the station. After all, why worry about jail when you can get through the bars with just a lighter and some hairspray? Edna Turnblad (Zoe Smith) was all Baltimore, hon, as she ‘warshed’ clothes to earn money for the family and paraded around in some truly amazing outfits from Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway. And Amber (Lucy Flippen) and her mother (Casey Stratton), with their up-to-the-sky bouffant hairdos and anti-integration attitudes, were the pageant queens we love to hate.
Who ever said Christmas can only come once a year? Howard County Summer Theatre will be cooling off this summer with their production of White Christmas by Irving Berlin. Based on the movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, ‘White Christmas’ tells the story of two ex-army friends who put on a show to save a remote ski lodge in Vermont… and fall in love with a singing sister act in the process. With great dance routines, great songs, and some great romance, ‘White Christmas’ is like a gift just waiting to be opened.
Running Time: 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
White Christmas is the second summer offering from Howard County Summer Theatre and will be showing from June 30 through July 3 2016 at Mt Hebron High School in Ellicott City. Click here for tickets and more information.
