HFC to Present “Hairspray” in April and May

HFC will present the musical “Hairspray” – based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name and the 1992 Broadway musical – beginning Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m. in the Adray Auditorium.

The public performances will be on the following dates:

• Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m.;
• Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m.;
• Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m.;
• Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m.;
• Saturday, May 2, at 8 p.m.; and
• Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m.

There will be private matinees for high school drama classes at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 27; Wednesday, April 29; and Friday, May 1.

The play is directed by Mary Bremer-Beer. Kevin Dewey is the music director, Diane Mancinelli is the choreographer and Gerry Dzublinski is the technical director – all four of whom teach various Fine Arts classes at HFC.

Set in Baltimore during the turbulent 1960s, “Hairspray” chronicles the adventures of “pleasantly plump” Tracy Turnblad, who auditions for “The Corny Collins Show,” which is a popular teeny bopper dance show. She also leads the fight against racial segregation and seeks to racially integrate “The Corny Collins Show.”

“I love the music in ‘Hairspray.’ There’s also a cultural lesson that focuses on the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and racial discrimination. It’s about discrimination of any kind, really, such as Tracy’s weight problem. The fact that racial problems have come around again and is an issue today makes it topical,” said Bremer-Beer.

The 1988 film was written and directed by Waters, who made his mark in the movie industry with his transgressive cult films that incorporate shock value and humor. “Hairspray” was Waters’ first mainstream comedy that inspired the 2002 Broadway musical. This musical won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2003. A remake of “Hairspray” debuted in 2007, starring Oscar nominee John Travolta (“Pulp Fiction”), Oscar nominee/Golden Globe winner Michelle Pfeiffer (“Dangerous Liaisons”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”), and James Marsden (“Superman Returns”).

The role of Edna, Tracy’s plus-sized mother, has always been played by a man. In the 1988 version, the late Divine (whose real name was Harris Glenn Milstead) played Edna in what was his final role. In the 2007 version, Travolta played Edna.

“I believe having a man play the mother is comic relief to offset the seriousness of the racial problems prevalent throughout ‘Hairspray,’” said Bremer-Beer.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for senior citizens, students, and HFC faculty/staff with a valid photo ID. For further information about “Hairspray,” visit HFC Theatre Arts or call 313-845-6478.

Cast and Crew

Henry Ford College
Social Science, Arts and Fitness Division
Theatre, Music and Dance Present
Hairspray

Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Director Mary F. Bremer-Beer
Musical Director: G. Kevin Dewey
Choreographer: Diane Mancinelli
Scenic Director: Gerry Dzublinski
Lighting Designer: Scott Ross
Costume Designer: Judith Fletcher
Sound Designer: Alan Contino
Stage Manager: Josh Neilson
Artistic/Producing Director: Dr. George Popovich

Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters.
Produced through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International

Cast of Characters
Tracy Turnbald: Kayla Aue
Edna Turnbald: Eric Vega
Penny Pingelton: Caitlin Castle
Prudy Pendleton: Judy Fletcher Amber Von Tusle: Anna Loftus
Velma Von Tusle: Shauna Rae Hazime, Mary Makled*
Seaweed J Stubbs: Marcellus Hogan
Link Larkin: Randall Nichols
Beatnik Chick: Chloe Schwab
Corny Collins: Dennis Marin
Wilbur Turnblad: David Alexander
Motormouth Maybelle: Brittany Reed
Inez: Alenna Mae Brown
Dynamites: Anita Holsey-Banks, Kennedy Cooper, Brittany Lowery
Mr. Pinky: Josh Neilson
Gym Teacher: Mary Bremer
Mr. Spritzer: Chris Boskovski
Principal: Dustin Cehaich/Phil Wailing**
Guard: Dustin Cehaich/Phil Wailing*
Thad: Dazhawn Bell
Matron: Lillian Rice, Pamela Osley
Cindy Watkins: Ieshia Walker Nicest Kids in Town: Alexis Angiano, Sara Justice, Anna Loftus, Ivy Tarnoski, Adam Lynch, Randall Nichols, Matt Mayes, Shauna Rae Hazime, Mary Makled, Matt Van Houten Chorus/Ensemble: Jay Alaii, Alenna Mae Brown, Darrien Bryson, Mary Hawthorne, Alex Jaafar, Pam Osley, Lillian Rice, Carol Teegardin, Chris Thomas, Ieshia Walker, Dashan Bell

Orchestra
Conductor/Keyboard 1: G. Kevin Dewey
Guitar: Anthony Lai
Bass: John Smuk
Drums: Reggie Williams, Jr.
Trumpet: James Boster, John Hartwick
Sax: Mark Philips
Sax: Joe LaRossa
Trombone: Chris Shannon, James Witman
Pit Vocals: Bonnie Schippling, Rachel Common, Craig Lahti

Production Crew
Master Carpenter: Christopher Bremer
Electricians: Christian Plonka, Anita Holsey-Banks
Props Crew Coordinator: Carol Teegardin
Props: Gerry Dzublinski, Luv Castlebury, Arnold Coleman, Carol Teegardin, Ali Dopke, Anita Holsey-Banks, Venita Carter Costumes: Judith Fletcher
Makeup Design Coordinator: Judith Fletcher
Hair and Wigs: Kayla Aue, Ashleigh Martin
Makeup and Hair Crew: THEA/Theatrical Makeup Class
Costume Crew: Judi Ammar, Randall Nichols, Anita Hosley-Banks, Chloe Schwab
Lighting: Scott Ross
Poster and Program Design: Ashleigh Martin
Printing: Ken Donovan
Publicity: Dr. George Popovich, Gary Erwin, Mike Cochran, The Cast and Crew, HFC Graphics, Angie Lai Program: HFC Graphics, Dr. George Popovich
Advance Ticket Sales: Dr. George Popovich
Lobby Display: Angie Lai

Social Science, Arts and Fitness Division
Associate Dean: Randall Knight
Academic Coordinators: Carol Sloan, Eric Rader
Administrative Assistants: Tom Berryman, Linda Prisza
Director of Theatre: Dr. George Popovich
Director of Choirs: G. Kevin Dewey
Director of Dance: Diane Mancinelli

Artistic Staff
Director: Mary F. Bremer-Beer
Music Director: G. Kevin Dewey
Choreographer: Diane Mancinelli
Scenic Designer: Gerry Dzublinski
Lighting Designer: Scott Ross
Costume Designer: Judith Fletcher
Sound Designer: Alan Contino
Dance Coach: Matt Mayes
Dance Captains: Ivy Tarnowski

Production Staff
Stage Manager: Josh Neilson
Technical Director: Gerry Dzublinski
Carpenters: Luv Castlebury, Arnold Coleman, Ali Dopke, Angie Lai, Chris Boskovski, Anita Hosley-Banks, Venita Carter, Richard Thompson Scenic Artists: Gerry Dzublinski, Judy Fletcher
Scenic Painters: Luv Castlebury, Arnold Coleman, Ali Dopke,
Christian Plonka, Angie Lai, Anita Hosley-Banks, Venita Carter
Master Electrician: Scott Ross
Costumes: Judith Fletcher
Sound Engineer: Alan Contino

Running Crew
Sound Board Operator: Alan Contino
Light Board Operator: Christian Plonka
Props: Carol Teegardin
Wardrobe: Lillian Rice, Judith Fletcher and Cast.
Scenery Shift: Chris Boskovski and Cast Box Office House Managers: Gerry Dzublinski
Box Office Managers: Angie Lai, Christopher Bremer
Ushers: Friends of The Company

Thanks to Randall Knight, Reginald Best, Shai James, Ivy Tarnowski, Debbie Aue, Downriver Actors Guild, and Dr. Stan Jensen