The curtain is ready to rise on Oak Park and River Forest High School’s production of “Hairspray,” a musical performance students have spent nearly two months perfecting.
Students auditioned for the show prior to winter break, and they have been busy rehearsing the production since returning to classes Jan. 9.
Senior Lucy Economos portrays Tracy Turnblad, a girl who must overcome challenges to realize her dream of dancing on a local TV show.
“The cast of the show are perfect and skinny and she is not, but she wants to do it,” Economos said. “She gets on the show and helps diversify the cast. This show has a lot of important messages, especially with recent racial tensions in the country and here in Oak Park. It helps bring a message of self-confidence and self-worth.”
Senior Ayanna Sloan portrays Motormouth Maybelle, and said the cast has enjoyed not only performing the show, but helping to deliver its powerful messages.
“The show is really about breaking stereotypes and believing in your own type of beautiful,” Sloan said. “It’s really rare to see a musical that tackles such relevant topics while also laughing and having a good time. Everyone here is super dedicated to the process. I’ve gotten to do this amazing show with all my friends, and it’s really been a blast.”
With a cast of 112 actors, 50 stage crew and 25 musicians, the performance is one of the largest in school history, says director Michelle Bayer.
“We have a lot of students who have never done theater before,” Bayer said. “It’s a joy for our kids.”
Senior Gabe Schonman serves as the production’s assistant musical director, and is conducting the pit orchestra for “Hairspray.”
“Usually, what I do is go off on leads individually, but with this show we wanted to make sure the message of the story gets across in terms of segregating and then integrating and coming together,” Schonman said. “It’s super helpful the music is so fun to sing and play and learn. Hearing the music live adds so much to the show. Once the show begins, you get into a rhythm and it’s so much fun.”
Bayer said “Hairspray” was chosen largely because of its themes, which include racial segregation, gender identity and physical appearance.
“We’re trying more and more to put more stories that have racially diverse perspectives on stage,” Bayer said. “We’re trying to broaden perspectives on all of these things.”
Performances are set to take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 3 p.m. Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 3 at the OPRF High School Auditorium, 201 N. Scoville Ave. in Oak Park.
Tickets will be available at the door for $10 each for adults and $8 each for students and seniors. Guests can also purchase tickets online at www.oprfhs.org.
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