Nine Performances Added to “Hairspray” Due to Overwhelming Demand
New Dates November 16 – December 30, 2018
Also Announced: Bethany Thomas Cast as ‘Motormouth Maybelle’
Milwaukee, Wis. (October 11, 2018) — Skylight Music Theatre today announced that due to overwhelming demand, nine additional performances have been added to Skylight’s holiday show, Hairspray. The show, which opens Friday, November 16 will now run through Sunday, December 30, 2018 with special early bird and family-friendly performance times added throughout the run.
This bold, beloved blockbuster Broadway musical will be presented in Skylight’s beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
Skylight Artistic Director Ray Jivoff also announced that Bethany Thomas has been cast in the featured role of ‘Motormouth Maybelle.’ Thomas is currently starring in Songs for Nobodies, a one-woman show at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where she was also seen in The Color Purple, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Ragtime.
Thomas, a recording artist who has appeared on Empire (FOX-TV) and in numerous productions in Chicago and Milwaukee, will make her Skylight Music Theatre debut. Motormouth Maybelle was played by Queen Latifiah in the 2007 film version of Hairspray and by Jennifer Hudson in the 2016 NBC Live broadcast.
Jivoff also announced the 17 area high school students who will perform in Hairspray’s youth ensemble. “These talented teens from Milwaukee area high schools will be playing kids their own age in the show,” said Jivoff. “A central storyline of Hairspray takes place at an American Bandstand-style TV dance show showcasing the infectious music and latest 1960s Baltimore dance hits.”
Hairspray is the story of plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad who dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, a dance show similar to American Bandstand. She wrestles with body image issues and bullying and undergoes a transformation from social outcast to sudden star. She uses her newfound power to integrate a TV network and win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin.
“Hairspray is a hilarious musical with depth and heart,” said Jivoff. “It deals with important issues facing our community with wit, a great score, a diverse cast, exuberant dancing and memorable songs such as ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat.’”
Lili-Anne Brown will direct the show, making her Skylight debut. She has worked extensively in Chicago and regionally and is the former artistic director of Bailiwick Chicago, where her work garnered numerous awards. Most recently Brown directed an acclaimed production of Caroline, or Change at Firebrand Theatre in Chicago.
“There is nothing about Hairspray that doesn’t make you smile,” said Brown. “At the same time, this is a story about anti-racism and body-positivity. Hairspray has a heart of gold, with its message of accepting one another and being kind to one another.”
The Broadway production of Hairspray won eight Tony Awards in 2003, including Best Musical. It features music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan. Hairspray is based on the 1988 John Waters film.
Hairspray, The Broadway Musical
First time at Skylight
November 16 – December 30, 2018
Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell
Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler, Arrangements by Marc Shaiman
Recommended for ages 9 and up
Creative Team
Stage Director………………………………………………………………………………….…..….Lili-Anne Brown+
Music Director........................................................................................................ ….…..Cindy Blanc
Choreographer......................................................................................................... Ryan Cappleman
Scenic Designer……………………………........…………………………………………………………...Carey Wong**
Costume Designer.........................................................................Michael Bottari and Ronald Case**
Lighting Designer.........................................................................................................David Gipson**
Sound Designer………………………..…………………………………………………………….……….Zack Berinstein
Wig Designer…………………………………….………...…………………………………………………Gerard Kelly**
Stage Manager..........................................................................................................Daniel J. Hanson*
+The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
**The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Wig designers are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829.
*Appearing through an agreement between this theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Cast
Tracy Turnblad................................................................................................................ Maisie Rose
Corny Collins................................................................................................................ Doug Clemons
Edna Turnblad............................................................................................................. Tommy Novak
Penny Pingleton............................................................................................................. Ann Delaney
Velma Von Tussle................................................................................................. Samantha Sostarich
Amber Von Tussle.......................................................................................................... Amber Smith
Link Larkin.................................................................................................................... Colin Schreier
Seaweed J. Stubbs...................................................................................................... Gilbert Domally
Motormouth Maybelle............................................................................................ Bethany Thomas*
Wilbur Turnblad.............................................................................................................. David Flores
Male Authority Figure …………………....…………………………………………………………..…..Rick Pendzich
Female Authority Figure ……………….....………………………………………………………..Rhonda Rae Bush
Little Inez............................................................................................................Terynn Erby-Walker
Youth Ensemble
Joshua Brown, Sam Gist, Kamani Graham, Meguire Hennes, Nathan Kabara, Charles Kelley, Jake Koch, Gabby Koziol, Jasmine Love, Jarred Manista, Ashley Nord, Maya O'Day-Biddle, Georgina Pink, Mackenzie Ross, JT Snow, Alexandria Woods
Band
Trumpet.......................................................................................................................... Greg Garcia
Saxophone.................................................................................................................. Curt Hanrahan
Trombone................................................................................................................. Kyle Samuelson
Guitars................................................................................................................ Steve Lewandowski
Bass................................................................................................................................ Tom McGirr
Drums.............................................................................................................. Michael (Ding) Lorenz
Select Biographies
Lili-Anne Brown (Stage Director) A native Chicagoan, Brown works as a director, actor and educator, both locally and regionally. She is the former artistic director of Bailiwick Chicago, where she directed Dessa Rose (Jeff Award), Passing Strange (BTA Award), See What I Wanna See (Steppenwolf Theatre Garage Rep), and the world premiere of Princess Mary Demands Your Attention by Aaron Holland. Other directing credits include Caroline, or Change (Firebrand Theatre), Tilikum by Kristiana Colon (world premiere, Sideshow Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theatre) among others. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Cindy Blanc (Music Director) is a native of Monroe, Wis. and lives on five acres of solitude in the southern part of the state. She holds degrees in music education and performance and was music director/ supervisor at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Ill. (2010-2017), The Armory in Janesville, Wis. (2005-2010), and is currently a freelance accompanist, parish musician and music teacher, orchestra percussionist, and private music instructor.
Bethany Thomas (Motormouth Maybelle) Regional: Songs for Nobodies, The Color Purple, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Ragtime, Man of LaMancha, A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep); A Moon For The Misbegotten (Writer's Theatre); Marry Me A Little (Porchlight Music Theater); Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu (Second City); The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare); Porgy and Bess (Court Theatre); Hair (Paramount Theatre); Iphigenia In Aulis (Getty Villa); Little Shop of Horrors (Geva Theatre). TV: Empire (FOX). Bethany is one quarter of Jon Langford's Four Lost Souls (self-titled album on Bloodshot Records) and released her own EP called "First." BethanyThomasMusic.com.
Performance Information
Performances of Hairspray are Friday, November 16 through Sunday, December 30 in the Cabot Theatre, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee.
Tickets & Box Office
Tickets are $30 - $75 (plus tax and fees) and can be purchased in person at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 N. Broadway, by calling (414) 291-7800, or visiting www.skylightmusictheatre.org
Box Office hours are Monday – Saturday, noon - 6 p.m. The Box Office window is open two hours prior to each performance. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more by calling (414) 299-4964 or email morganh@skylightmusictheatre.org.
Calendar
New shows are designated in pink below. New early bird show times are highlighted in yellow.
Special Events
Skylight Insights. In-depth discussions with directors and special guests take place one hour before every Wednesday and Sunday performance.
ASL Performance. Hairspray will be interpreted in American Sign Language on Friday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. Call the Box Office at (414) 291-7800 and mention ASL performance to be seated in the appropriate section or go online and enter code ASL to view seats and purchase.
For more information visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org, email info@skylightmusictheatre.org or call the Box Office at (414) 291-7800.
Skylight Bar & Bistro
Skylight Bar & Bistro is located on the second floor of The Broadway Theatre Center. It is open two hours before each performance in the Cabot Theatre and features gourmet dining and fine wine by Indulge Wine Room. Reservations for full table service are recommended and can be made in advance at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/bistro or by calling (414) 291-3773. Counter service is available without reservations.
Parking Vouchers on Sale
Purchase discounted parking vouchers from the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office for use in the Historic Third Ward parking garage at 212 N. Milwaukee Street (one block east and one block north). Vouchers can be purchased for $5 during normal Box Office hours. Vouchers are valid between 5 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. for evening performances only. Voucher sales stop 30 minutes before showtime and are not available during intermission. No refunds.
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre’s mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions “Skylight Style” – bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. The beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre allows audiences to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.