MOUNT CARROLL, IL - The Tony Award winning musical comedy Hairspray will open the 54th summer season at Timber Lake Playhouse on June 4th. The 2002 stage adaptation of the John Waters film has become an enormous song and dance hit around the world, and TLP brings the show to Mount Carroll for the first time ever to launch a season dedicated to dreaming big.
Hairspray tells the story of plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad, whose hair is bigger than everything but her dream to dance on TV. When those dreams come true, she's transformed from social outcast to star, using her newfound popularity to dethrone the reigning teen queen, integrate a television network and change the world. Set in 1962 Baltimore, the show, which has been called, "exhilaratingly funny" and "a musical triumph," is piled high with laughs, romance, and spectacular dance numbers to the sounds of the 60s.
Amelia Jo Parish of Nixa, MO was chosen to play Tracy out of over 1200 hundred people who auditioned. Chicago actor Tommy Bullington plays Tracy's mom Edna, a comedic tour de force that won Harvey Fierstein a Tony Award. Lili-Anne Brown, Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, returns to TLP to direct the show. Zachary L. Gray provides choreography and Cindy Blanc is the musical director.
TLP Artistic Director James Beaudry says, "Hairspray is that rare musical that makes you laugh so hard it hurts, makes you smile bigger than you thought you could, inspires you to get up and dance and ultimately fills your heart with excitement and hope. It's a feel-good show with enough energy to blow the roof off."
"In casting the show, we've kept our tradition of bringing in established pros along with the absolute best students from colleges around the country?many of whom are excited to call TLP their first professional contract. The talent on that stage is jaw-dropping and we're very grateful they've chosen to spend the summer with us in Northwest Illinois."
The 2015 season at TLP is filled with shows that inspire audiences to "dream bigger." Following Hairspray, the playhouse presents The Big Meal, a stunning, big-hearted play about modern families by Dan LeFranc. Peter Pan, Greater Tuna, Big Fish and Big River round out the lineup. The Magic Owl Children's Theatre at TLP will also present a stage adaptation of James and the Giant Peach.
Subscribers can see all six mainstage shows for $119, which is less than $20 a ticket. Regular tickets are $25 with discounts available for groups, students, seniors and active duty military personnel.
For subscriptions, tickets to Hairspray or any shows in TLP's 2015 season, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. You may also call the box office at 815-244-2035 or visit them at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll during business hours. All performance dates and times are available online.
