Courtesy Photo The large cast of core company members and community performers for Thunder Bay Theatre’s production of “Hairspray” will take the stage tonight.

Courtesy Photo
The large cast of core company members and community performers for Thunder Bay Theatre’s production of “Hairspray” will take the stage tonight.

While the music leans toward light and breezy, the Tony award-winning show also explores some serious themes like racial prejudice, equality for all and body positivity. In 2003, it won eight Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. After opening on Broadway in 2002, it ran for 2,642 performances before finally closing in January 2009.

“‘Hairspray’ covers the story of Tracy Turnblad, who is a quirky, plus-size teenager in the 1960s, loves dancing and wants to be on the Corny Collins Show more than anything,” said TBT Managing Director Molly Stricker. “It features a lot of teenagers and shows a lot of dances.”

When Tracy’s dream comes true, she’s transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affection of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a television network – all without denting her hairdo.

As fun as all that sounds, Stricker said Tracy encounters other difficulties when she’s befriended by a talented African American dancer in school detention.

“It causes a huge upset in the school and in their homes because of a white teen hanging out with a black teen,” Stricker said. “Tracy wants to integrate television with black teens and she doesn’t see why they shouldn’t be on the show, too. It mirrors the struggle of not being the perfect size and the kids not being the right color.”

TBT’s large summer core company will be featured in many of the roles, with several community performers also appearing on stage. Starring as Tracy Turnblad is Danessa Hellus, last seen as the straight-laced mayor in “All Shook Up.” Ben Marshall plays her mother, Edna Turnblad, while Bobby Hogan, who was the lead male character, Chad, in “All Shook Up,” can be seen as Link.

Janna Schmid plays Amber, the reigning queen of the Corny Collins Show, and Michael Loman takes on the role of Seaweed, the dancer who befriends Tracy. Schmid and Marshall previously appeared as ensemble cast members for “All Shook Up,” while Loman was the love-lorn Dennie.

Other company members adding their talents to the production are Jasmine Young as Motormouth Maybelle, Shelley McMoy as Velma Von Tussle, Chaunery Tanguay as Wilbur, Lois Ellise as Little Inez, Peyton Johnson as Lorraine, Riley McManus as Corny Collins, Ray Gleaves as Duane, Adrian Rochelle as Gilbert and Caleb Michael as Fender.

The community performers include Hannah Matzke as Shelly, Miriam Denstaedt as Brenda, Beth Matzke as Prudy, Isabel Luther as Tammy, Ashley Cotton as IQ, Jake Lanier as Brad and Ely Irving as Pinky/Others.

“Hairspray” follows on the heals of TBT’s highly successful summer season opener, “All Shook Up.”

“Elvis was a hit in this community,” Stricker said. “We heard nothing but good feedback with some telling us it was the best show they ever saw at Thunder Bay Theatre. We almost sold out the last four performances. We are super grateful to the community for the show.”

She said “Hairspray” follows the same concert format as last year’s “West Side Story.” It involves the whole story, but takes place on one set as opposed to the original show’s multiple set changes. This allows TBT to present “Hairspray” without incurring all the technical costs that would otherwise make it impossible to bring to Alpena audiences.

If the show ever were to sell out for all four performances, Stricker said TBT would then consider extending its now annual concert show beyond the already scheduled four performances.

“We’re trying to have it as an event,” Stricker said. “Until it sells out all four shows for the concert version, we won’t extend the run. Usually Friday night and Saturday night sells out, but the matinees are a little less full.”

She encourages audience members to make reservations early rather than waiting to hear whether or not the show is good.

In addition to the four weekend shows at TBT, the theater will be bringing “Hairspray” outdoors in August as part of True North Radio Network’s free Summer Concerts in the Park series at the Bay View Park Bandshell. TBT did the same thing last year with “West Side Story” and met with success.

“It was amazing. Over 1,000 people came to the bandshell to see ‘West Side Story.’ We were so surprised and heard nothing but positive feedback. Everyone loved it, and everyone was so grateful we were able to bring it out into the park,” Stricker said.

“Annie Get Your Gun” will be the final show of the summer season. It opens July 25 for a three-week run.

To make reservations for “Hairspray,” call the box office at 354-2267 or order tickets online at www.thunderbaytheatre.com.