Hairspray: The Musical- collab by HS Jan van Riebeeck, Baxter, Cape Town Theatre Company and DALRO

Hairspray: The Musical -presented by HS Jan van Riebeeck and the Baxter Theatre, in collaboration with Cape Town Theatre Company and DALRO

With the onslaught of the pandemic, it has been a while since we have seen a big musical, presented in epic form, on stage in Cape Town, with a live orchestra. Exciting news is that Hairspray – The Musical – is happening – live- on stage -May 4-7, 2022. Hairspray is being presented by HS Jan van Riebeeck and the Baxter Theatre, in collaboration with Cape Town Theatre Company and DALRO. Hairspray is a “musical extravaganza” and this production has a cast numbering almost 60 and a large orchestra.  With seating numbers limited, during Covid, it is not financially viable for producers in mainstream theatre, to stage big musicals as they are unable to recoup substantial costs for production rights, costs and fees for performers. In the time of the pandemic and lockdown, schools and community theatre groups have been keeping the musical theatre flag flying. This production of Hairspray is a thrilling collab. It is a musical, brimming with universal themes –identity, racial and social discrimination, belonging, body positivity- and much more. The creative team includes acclaimed theatre makers, Rushney Ferguson and Regina R. Malan. There are only four performances. Info as supplied:

Hit musical extravaganza warms up Cape Town this autumn – May 2022

This production of Hairspray, marks the first grand scale musical in recent years, by the prestigious art school Jan van Riebeeck High School and serves as the next step in its dedication towards the arts and development of South Africa’s promising young theatre makers. The school is presenting the popular, in collaboration with the Cape Town Theatre Company and Dalro from May 4-7, 2022 at the Baxter Theatre. With a cast of almost 60 and a full scale live orchestra, “this musical extravaganza promises to hail back to a time before lockdowns and social distancing, a time when theatre was a colourful celebration of life.”

About Hairspray- the musical

Do you love bright costumes, magnificent hairstyles, and catchy tunes? Then this heart-warming show, filled with family-fun and a beautiful message, is for you. The setting is 1962 in Baltimore America and all Tracy Turblad and her big hair wants, is to dance. Even though her mother forbids it, she dreams of dancing on the amazing The Corny Collins Show. The problem with this dream is that she is not as popular, slender or ‘cool’ as the so-called favourite, Amber von Tussle. To top it all, Tracy supports racial integration during a time when Baltimore is still fraught with discrimination. However, this does not stop our plucky leading lady from achieving her goals. With the help of friends, Penny Pingleton and Seaweed J. Stubbs, and her ever-growing crush on dreamy Link Larkin. She defies all odds and lands her big break and istantly becoming a local celebrity. Tracy uses her new-found fame for good. Teaming up with the legendary Motormouth Maybelle, they advocate for racial integration on the show. It is a steep uphill battle, but she doesn’t give up. Tracy and her new friends will not stop fighting until they change the world for the better.

Covid protocols

The production team is committed to observing strict Covid protocols: “We ask that audience members please respect social distancing measures and that masks are worn where possible. All audience members will be subject to temperature checks before entering the venue and are requested to use our sanitizer. We value our patrons and will do everything in our power to keep our cast, crew and audience safe.”

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