Energetic production will leave audiences dancing in their seats

When Tracy Turnblad (Katey Sheehan)
fights for her chance to dance on the
Corny Collins Show, she meets teen
idol Link Larkin (Jimmy Ferko) and
revolutionizes 1960s Baltimore.

Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, concludes its 47th season with the Broadway hit Hairspray.

Directed by producing artistic director Terri Kent, Hairspray opens July 31 and runs through Aug. 16. A preview performance will take place on July 30. This family-friendly musical will have audiences dancing in their seats. Hairspray follows plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad as she fights for her dream to dance on the Corny Collins Show and ends up revolutionizing 1960s Baltimore. The book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music is by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics are by Scott Wittman. Performances are July 30 and 31, and Aug. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 2, 9, 15, and 16 at 2 p.m.

Professor Emeritus Chuck Richie* performs as Edna Turnblad, accompanied by Rohn Thomas* as Wilbur Turnblad and Colleen Longshaw* (M.F.A. ’15) as Motormouth Maybelle. Scenic design is by Nolan O’Dell (B.F.A. ’98), costume design by Sarah Russell (M.F.A. ’09), lighting design by T. C. Kouyeas, Jr. (M.F.A. ’06), technical direction by Ryan T. Patterson and sound design by Brian Chismar (B.F.A. ’13). Choreographer is by College of the Arts Dean and Professor John R. Crawford, and production stage manager is Kristen Boehnlein*.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 330-672-3884, in person at the Porthouse Box Office, or online at www.porthousetheatre.com. Group tickets can be purchased at the Porthouse Box Office or by phone at 330-672-3884. The Porthouse Box Office is located in the Roe Green Center lobby of Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts, 1325 Theatre Drive in Kent, and is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Single tickets range in price from $32-$40 for adults, $30-$35 for seniors, $26-$33 for college students and $24-$30 for children 18 and under. Special rates for groups of 20 or more also are available.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

For more information about Porthouse Theatre, visit www.porthousetheatre.com.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States