Brookfield Residents in HAIRSPRAY Next at Danbury's Musicals at Richter

You Can’t Stop the Beat!

Musicals at Richter’s 31st Season under the Stars Continues with

“Hairspray” July 3-18

Musicals at Richter (MAR), now in its 31st season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, continues its summer offerings Friday, July 3 with the sizzling hit Broadway musical “Hairspray,” playing through July 18.  Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with added discounted performances on Thursday July 9 and 16.  (Please note: No performance on Saturday, July 4.)

Based on the popular John Waters film of the same name, “Hairspray” follows the dreams of lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad in 1962 Baltimore.  Tracy has only one desire – to dance on the TV’s 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 hairdo!

Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, “Hairspray” features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.  This non-stop show is piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance, infectious dancing and deliriously tuneful songs, including “Good Morning, Baltimore,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” “Big, Blonde and Beautiful,“ and “The Nicest Kids in Town.”

Directed and choreographed by MAR veteran Matthew Farina (Danbury), “Hairspray” features a cast of local performers, with a number of newcomers and MAR veterans.   Featured as Tracy Turnblad is Katie Cummings (Sandy Hook), with Mike Armstrong (Danbury) as her formidable mother Edna Turnblad and Ted Schwartz (Brookfield) as her lovable dad Wilbur. 

The snobby, prejudiced TV producer Velma Von Tussle is played by Stacy Basinger-Goodman (Mahopac, NY) and her self-absorbed daughter Amber – Tracy’s nemesis - is portrayed by Jessica Schwartz (Brookfield). Robert Bria (Redding) is popular show host Corny Collins and Connor Spain (Bethel) is Link Larkin, the show’s featured singer and Tracy’s love interest.  Brooke Morris (Danbury) takes on the role of Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend and dorky sidekick, and Ismael Santana (Danbury) portrays Seaweed, Tracy and Penny’s talented classmate who eventually falls for Penny. Greih Wilson McClain (Danbury) plays Motormouth Maybelle, a part-time DJ and Seaweed’s strong and influential mother, and Akira Golz (Hopewell Junction, NY) portrays Little Inez, Seaweed’s confident younger sister.

Rounding out the ensemble in a variety of roles are: Buddy Stocks (Bethel); Janina Gonzalez (Brewster, NY); Caitlin Burke, John Duron, Matt Farina, Monet Fleming, Noah Matson, Tess Riley and Priscilla Squiers (Danbury); Ryan Taylor (New Fairfield); Jessica Braun (Newtown); Emma Giorgio and Carolyn Savoia (Ridgefield); Shelby Davis (Waterbury); and Josephine Gottfried (West Hartford).

The creative team also features Paul Feyer (Manchester) as musical director, and Katie Girardot and Jennie Lozier (both of New Milford) as production stage managers.

Musicals at Richter’s 2015 main stage musical season continues with Irving Berlin’s irrepressible classic “Annie Get Your Gun,” playing July 24 to August 8. 

For the younger set, the popular children’s theater series “Fairy Tale Theater” celebrates its 17th season of Saturday morning offerings July rain or shine at Wooster School in Danbury.  Longtime Danbury area performer and educator Elyse Jasensky directs an ensemble of young performers in hour-long adaptations of classic tales.  Shows include “Sleeping Beauty” (July 4); “The Sword and the Stone” (July 11); “The Emperor’s New Clothes/The Princess and the Pea” (July 18); and “Alice in Wonderland” (July 25). All Fairy Tale Theater tickets are $5 at the door.

Main stage performances are primarily Friday through Sunday evenings at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Tickets for “Hairspray” are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students (with ID), and $10 for children 10 and under.  On Thursday July 9 and 16, tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children 10 and under. Ticket may be made reserved through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or purchased at the door.  Grounds open at 7:15 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:30 p.m. Group rates are available with advance reservation; chair rentals and soft drink/snack concessions are available on-site.  

Now in its 31st season, Musicals at Richter is Connecticut’s longest-running outdoor theater. Performances are given on weekends at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course),

100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Nestled in the hills of Western Connecticut, the Arts Center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for over 75 musicals produced by Musicals at Richter, as well as a

professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers. Musicals at Richter is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. For further information, visit the website at www.musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.

 

         

B
Submitted by Brookfield, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next