Hairspray, the musical, is great date night fun

It's entertaining, energetic, and toe-tapping fun. Go see it!

From the minute the curtain opens you find yourself smiling and cheering for Tracy Turnblad, the social outcast turned social activist. 

(L - R) FRONT: Melissa Momboisse ("Penny Pingleton"), Cassie Grilley ("Tracy Turnblad") and Lauren Meyer ("Amber Von Tussle"); BACK: Bonnie Lafer ("Prudy Pingleton"), Scott Di Lorenzo (“Edna Turnblad”) and Sarah Sloan ("Velma Von Tussle") in Bay Area Musicals' 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.

It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!

Lauren Meyer ("Amber Von Tussle"), Cassie Grilley ("Tracy Turnblad"),  Kamren Mahaney (“Link Larkin”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals' 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.

The last time I saw Hairspray the musical it was the live TV version featuring some of Broadway's biggest stars (Harvey Feinstein, Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson, Derek Hough). This San Francisco production does not disappoint! The voices of the cast are amazing and the dancing is wonderful and non-stop. Just wait until you see Dave Abrams fly through the air and shake his booty as Seaweed.

Dave J. Abrams ("Seaweed J. Stubbs") and Company in Bay Area Musicals' 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.

The talent in the Bay area is impressive! Matthew McCoy and Leslie Waggoner have produced an amazing show. 

Bay Area Musicals’ production of HAIRSPRAY is directed and choreographed by Matthew McCoy, with music direction by Jon Gallo. Leslie Waggoner will serve as Assistant Choreographer. 

"I have been wanting to stage HAIRSPRAY ever since I first saw the show on Broadway," said Matthew McCoy. "I had never before seen a musical packed with so much heart, joy, laughter, exciting choreography, and electrifying music.

“If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY. It’s irresistible!” 

– The New York Times

It signified a bright new era for the book musical comedy, and it was clear that the entire audience was having a ball. Now, almost twenty years later, the show has become a beloved classic. And with the specters of prejudice and intolerance increasingly front and center in our politics and news media, the message of HAIRSPRAY is more timely than ever: that all of us can walk together, hand in hand, no matter our size or the color of our skin. The big wigs, bright lights, and flashy dances will all be front and center in our production, with heart (and a few tears) sprinkle throughout as we look at where we've been, how far we've come, and how far we still must go." 

Cassie Grilley ("Tracy Turnblad") and Company in Bay Area Musicals' 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.

What: Bay Area Musical’s production of HAIRSPRAY
When: Sat., July 6 – Sun., August 11, 2019
Where: Victoria Theatre (2961 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Tickets: $35 - $65 and may be purchased online at www.bamsf.org/hairspray. 

Bay Area Musicals’ upcoming 2019-2020 season will include:
GYPSY (November 9 – December 8, 2019)
THE FULL MONTY (February 15 - March 15, 2020)
A CHORUS LINE (April 11 - May 10, 2020)
TBA (July 11 - August 9, 2020). 

Subscriptions to the 2019- 2020 season are available now at www.bamsf.org. 

Bay Area Musicals (BAM!) is a professional, non-profit theatre organization dedicated to presenting the highest caliber of musical theatre in San Francisco. Founded in 2014, the Company strives to stimulate and inspire the San Francisco Bay Area community through high-caliber musical theater ranging from familiar classics to challenging new works; to produce professional musical theater at accessible ticket rates; and to engage the community through performance, outreach, and educational opportunities. 

For more information, visit www.bamsf.org.