Hairspray: Beehive Musical for Perth
Beehives and 60s fashions are set to fill the stage at Limelight Theatre in Wanneroo (WA) during June.
Adapted from the original 1988 John Waters movie, Hairspray is set in 1962 Baltimore and follows “pleasantly plump” teenager Tracy Turnblad and her dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show.
When her dream comes true, she becomes an overnight celebrity and launches a campaign to let the African-American teens dance with the white kids.
Described as a social commentary on 1960s injustices in American society, Hairspray was first adapted into a Broadway musical in 2002 with an original score by Marc Shaiman (music and lyric co-writer for South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and Scott Wittman.
The musical was then adapted into a 2007 film with John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron.
Director Terry Pirlo emphasises it is a fun show full of singing and dancing, taking the audience right back to the early 1960s.
“Hairspray has your quintessential good and bad characters that bring to life the cultural differences at the time,” he said.
“Tracy Turnblad is a determined young lady who wants to integrate these two societies – plus there’s the usual teen love story where boy and girl finally end up together at the end.
“One of the main challenges was before the auditions when I wondered if I would get enough actors to play the African-American roles.
“Lo and behold we did and what a great cast they are.”
First involved in theatre at age 16 in Wollongong, Pirlo has been involved with more than 40 shows including Chicago, 42nd Street andAnything Goes as a lead or chorus member and has choreographed productions for the Arcadians Theatre Group, Dodo Express, The Roo and Guild Theatres, Sutherland Light Opera Company and the Hills Centre Co-op.
He is also a professional dancer and worked with Rhonda Burchmore, Christine Denny, Dean Perry and Michael Cormick before moving to Perth seven years ago.
Last year, Pirlo debuted as a choreographer for Limelight Theatre’s production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and has been nominated for an award for his efforts.
“A friend of mine was originally going to direct Hairspray and I was going be the choreographer but she moved to South Australia after her husband secured a job and I quickly took on both jobs,” he said.
“It’s always been a favourite show of mine because I love the songs, dancing and characters, all full of fun and vibrancy.”
Hairspray plays from June 6 to 22, 2013
Bookings: 9571 8591 between 9am and midday, Monday to Friday, or online at www.limelighttheatre.com.
Limelight Theatre is located on Civic Drive, Wanneroo.
Images: Scheming producer Velma Von Tussle (Genevieve Newman) and TV star daughter Amber (Tania Morrow) are not impressed when Tracy Turnblad (Stacey Gay) and Penny Pingleton (Tessa Hutchinson) try to integrate the African-American teens with the white kids; Velma (Genevieve Newman) and Amber Von Tussle (Tania Morrow), Tracy Turnblad (Stacey Gay) and Penny Pingleton (Tessa Hutchinson), at front, and The Dynamites (Kaela Sullen, Mirella Renel and Rume Faka), at back, find themselves in trouble, and Tracy Turnblad (Stacey Gay) and Penny Pingleton (Tessa Hutchinson), at front, are ready to take on the world in Hairspray with The Dynamites (Kaela Sullen, Rume Faka and Mirella Renel).
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