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

What: Hairspray: The Musical #Hairspray When: May 4-7, 2022 Where: Baxter Theatre Tickets: R180-R200 Bookings: Webtickets Direct booking link: Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including a 15 min interval) Presented by: HS Jan van Riebeeck and the Baxter Theatre, in collaboration with Cape Town Theatre Company and DALRO Parking: Off-street parking available Wheelchair access: Yes Directors: Rushney Ferguson and Regina R. Malan Choreographers: Rushney Ferguson and Alex Rodkin Info: Stephan Fourie by e-mail: productions@capetowntheatrecompany.org   Scroll down for full production credits

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.”

SHOW DETAILS   Hairspray- the musical #Hairspray   When and where: May 4-7, 2022 at the Baxter Theatre Bookings: Webtickets Direct booking link: Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including a 15 min interval) Ticket price: R180-R200 Presented by: HS Jan van Riebeeck and the Baxter Theatre, in collaboration with Cape Town Theatre Company and DALRO   Performance times:   Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 7pm Thursday, May 5, 2022, 7pm Friday, May 6,  2022, 7pm Saturday, May 7, 2022, 7pm   Booking platform: Webtickets Booking link: Baxter website: http://www.baxter.co.za Parking: Off-street parking available Wheelchair access: Yes PRODUCTION TEAM   Directors: Rushney Ferguson and Regina R. Malan Choreographers: Rushney Ferguson and Alex Rodkin Producer: Geruan Geldenhuys for Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck Musical director: Regina Malan Dialogue coach: Linda van der Walt Stage manager and props: Morag Tison Set and creative design: Cape Town Theatre Company   CAST   Tracy Turnblad: Marilé Engelbrecht      Link Larkin: Lu-wyk Steyn          Corny Collins: Simon van der Berg       Corny Collins-understudy /Mr Pinky/IQ: Gideon van Zyl    Motormouth Maybelle: Phumie Oliphant         Seaweed J. Stubbs: Amuran Bester     Edna Turnblad: Giulia Nel Wilbur Turnblad: Phillip Herbst   Amber von Tussle: Daniella Coetzee Velma von Tussle: Ankia Erasmus   Prudy Pingleton: Nina Crouse    Little Inez A/Dynamite B: Ayden Februarie Dynamites A: Onela Mnyengeza Little Inez B/Dynamite A: Simone Jacobs       Dynamites: Logan Hoogboord     Dynamites B: Nadia Manuel       Ms Spritzer/Beatnik chick: Hanje Hattingh     Principal/gym teacher: Mieke Strydom Matron: Natasha Roos        ENSEMBLE   Cindy Watkins: Lebu Salimani Loraine: Onela Roxo        Stooie/jail bird: Donnagene Lings Kamilah/jail bird: Keena Humphreys Judine: Shemuella Mars   Shayna/ jail bird: Stacey-Lee Hurling    Janice: Sarah Peters Teresa: Asanda Sibisi       Ruth/ jail bird: Nia Dookins         Gilbert/ jogger: Adam Liebenberg         Duan/gentleman: Ethan Pieterse Becky: Mia Voster  Tammy: Karu Rademyer   Fender: Alexia Selzer        Brenda: Kristy Stipp          Sketch: Bea Orffer Shelly: Carla van den Berg         Lou Ann: Luca Zulch        Doreen: Mia van den Berg Mean girl/council mom: Clarise Strydom        Mean girl/guard: Lara-Lisa Senekal      Mean girl/jail bird: Carla Snijders         Flower seller/assistant: Aimee Els       Mean girl/jail bird: Tiana van den Berg Flasher/jail bird: Nayla Walker   Norma/jail bird: Anne Liebenberg         Jenny/jail bird: Cloe Loots         Blanche/council mom: Loche Mong

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