Broadway comes to Houlton High School

HOULTON, Maine — A little piece of Broadway is making its way to the Shiretown this weekend as the Houlton High School music department presents “Hairspray, the Broadway Musical” as its annual high school play.
According to Allyson Carmichael, one of the students involved in the production, “Hairspray” is the tale of Tracy Turnblad, a plump and outspoken girl who lives in 1960’s Baltimore. Turnblad attempts to fulfill her dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show and makes a few enemies in the process.
    “Tracy is rejected by the show’s producer, Velma Von Tussle, because of both her size and sincere belief in equality,” Carmichael said “This rejection causes her to become even more determined to be famous. With the help of her friends Penny, Seaweed, and her family, Tracy achieves her dream and in the process fights the racial inequalities that so many of her new friends are facing at this time in history. During the course of the show Tracy realizes how harsh and unjust the world can be and how every person can make a difference in their own way.”
Again this year, two students will appear in a lead role on alternating performances. Anderson said this was done to allow more students to have an opportunity to appear as a main character in the play. Carmichael and Natalie Rush will alternate in the lead role of Tracy/Cindy Watkins, while Dakota Gramour and Elyjah Crockett will each play Edna/Brad for two performances.
Other cast members include: Maxwell Bradshaw, Corny Collins; Mallory Clayton, Penny Pingleton; Jacklyn Condon, Velma Von Tussle; Mikaela Tuttle, Amber Von Tussle; Noah Holmes, Link Larkin; Phoenix Crockett, Seaweed J. Stubbs; Madelene Anderson, Little Inez; Haven Rhoda, Motormouth Maybelle; Keegan Fitzpatrick, Wilbur Turnblad; Caleigh Sullivan, Prudy Pingleton; Isaac Morse, Mr. Pinky/Harriman F. Spritzer; Tommy Hannigan, Gym Teacher/Fender; Autumn London, Matron/Donna; and students Kierra Carmichael, Erin Keehn, Adam Casillas, Lexi Bartlett, Lauren Hogan, Victoria Codrey, Connor Bulley, Ella Glatter, Tessa Winship, Danielle Provost, Amira Abouleish, Emma Reed, Makala Miller, Jill Howland, Laura Beals, June Choi, Morgan Nelson and Caila Keber.
Tickets are now on sale at the school. Shows typically sell out. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Showtimes are Friday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 17, 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. Seats are by reserved seating. For more information, e-mail musical@houltonhs.org or call Dee Butler  at 532-7736.