Baldwin High School's renowned theater program got what some might call overdue acclaim last year when it walked away from the 22nd Annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater with a Kelly Award for Best Musical.
Baldwin's "Show People" delighted audiences with its 2012 production of "Curtains"—a parody of 1950s "whodunnit" mystery theater—and aim to do just the same in 2013 with "Hairspray," the musical widely popularized by the 2007 movie of the same title starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken and many other household names.
The story centers around Tracy Turnblad, a large girl with big hair and a kind heart.
Tracy has only one passion—to dance. She wins a spot on a local TV dance program—"The Corny Collins Show"—and is quickly transformed into a teen celebrity.
She then sets out to vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of the super handsome Link Larkin and racially integrate the show.
Maggie Brooks, a 2011 Best Actress and 2012 Best Supporting Actress nominee for the local Kelly Awards, plays Tracy. She'll be joined by 2010 Best Supporting Actor and 2012 Best Actor nominee Connor Doran as Corny Collins, as well as almost 80 other actors in Baldwin's production this year.
Rehearsals are under way, and the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch caught a glimpse of one of those rehearsals on Monday and spoke to some members of the show's cast. View the video above to get ready for "Hairspray."
Baldwin's first public performance of the show will be held on Sunday, April 14, at 1 p.m. when senior citizens (aged 62 and older) may attend for free. Non-senior citizens must pay $10 per admission that day.
The show will also run at 7 p.m. from Wednesday-Saturday, April 17-20. Tickets cost $10 each then, as well. Buy early, as all seats are reserved.
On April 18, all students in high school or earlier grades may attend the show at a discounted price of $8 per admission.
The Baldwin-Whitehall Council of PTA is sponsoring a "Because We Care" food drive at the April 14 show. Non-perishable food items can be brought to that particular performance to support food pantries in Baldwin-Whitehall.
Tickets are on sale at the high school box office on Saturdays, March 23, April 6 and April 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; on Tuesdays, April 2 and April 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.; and HERE online starting March 23.
For additional information, the high school box office can be reached at 412-885-6767 or at bhsmusical@comcast.net.
Cast
A'shanti Anderson - Lorraine
Eleni Andrulonis - Ensemble
Greg Arcuri - Edna
Ndey Badjie - Ensemble
Rachel Baldinger - Ensemble
Nicki Barth - Council Member
Anna Bekavac - Velma Von Tussle
Mary Bekavac - Ensemble
Keonta Bender - Duane
Vanessa Black - Ensemble
Emily Blystone - Feature Dancer
Donald Born - Principal of Patterson Park High
Christa Bosetti - Ensemble
Michael Bower - Council Member Fender
Elyse Breakwell - Ensemble
Josh Brooks - Stooie
Maggie Brooks - Tracy
Caitlin Brown - Amber Von Tussle/Ensemble
Kayla Brown - Dynamite
Natalie Brown - Ensemble
Thelma Collins - Dynamite
Trastian Collins - Seaweed
Sydney Crouch - Ensemble
Ashely Czerniewski-Hagan - Inez
Aubrie Dauginikas - Feature Dancer
Julia DeGregorio - Ensemble
Elaina DePetro - Ensemble
Connor Doran - Corny/Student Music Director
Fitz Doyle - Council Member Brad
Tara Edwards - Dynamite
Andrea Feagan - Ensemble
Ruth Freeman - Ensemble
Scott Friedman - Mr. Spritzer
Nick Gardner - Ensemble
Emma Geisler - Ensemble
Kalee George - Matron
Almin Haggerty - Dynamite
Rylee Hall - Dynamite
Shaquea Hatch - Cindy Watkins
Jay Hawk - Gym Teacher
Emily Isaacs - Council Member Shelley
Eve Jolo - Motormouth
Chi Chi Kabungo - Gilbert
Lombe Kasuba - Ensemble
Jordan Knerr - Feature Dancer
Erica Koenig - Ensemble
Liz Lane - Ensemble
Julie Lang - Ensemble
Alizabeth Leng - Mrs. Prudy Pingleton/Ensemble
Maddie Leschak - Ensemble
Chris Luffy - Guard
Carley Malenka - Ensemble
Kevin Malesic - Council Member I.Q.
Lauren Margliotti - Ensemble
Casey Montana - Ensemble
Monet Moses - Ensemble
John Mumblo - Link, Council Member
Robert Murray - Link, Council Member
Caitlin Needham - Ensemble
Josh Proud - Council Member Sketch
Lindsay Roadarmel - Council Member Tammy
Sara Roberto - Ensemble
Katie Sabo - Penny
Hannah Schmidt - Ensemble
Victoria Schmotzer - Ensemble
Molly Seidel - Ensemble
Olivia Shoup - Ensemble
Sydney Stahl - Council Member Lou Ann
Laura Stumpf - Ensemble
Adolphus Tarley - Thad
Jen Tran - Ensemble
Stephen Tsambarlis - Mr. Pinky
Stacie Vitunic - Feature Dancer
Allie Waldo - Amber Von Tussle/Ensemble
Brianna Walkup - Mrs. Prudy Pingleton/Ensemble
Grant Weaver - Wilbur
Jill Weida - Ensemble
Nick White - Ensemble
Dani Wolfson - Council Member Brenda
Becca Wolowicz - Ensemble
Corrections? Please contact baldwin-whitehall@patch.com ASAP.
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