Dmhnfeb

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Thursday, February 21, 2019

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Volume 64 | Number 26

www.DesertMobileHomeNews.com

CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 64 YEARS

Desert Theatreworks Celebrates their 50th Production on Opening Night of ‘Hairspray! The Big Fat Broadway Musical’

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Photo courtesy of Desert Theatreworks.

usic, dancing and big hair, it’s Hairspray! Set in 1960s Baltimore, this Broadway smash musical tells the story of lovable plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad, a misfit who becomes a local celebrity by dancing on TV’s Corny Collins Show, and whose passion for justice transforms her into an unlikely heroine, triumphing over both snotty teen queens and racial segregation. And she does it all without denting her ‘do. The show won eight Tony Awards when it premiered in ‘03, and it’s been knocking ‘em dead ever since. Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2003 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden. This musical is where 60’s dance music is huge, and segregation is

still prevalent. The civil rights storyline is a very important aspect of the musical. This storyline and the show is empowering for African Americans as it brings the audience’s attention to their stories and the true events that were occurring in the 1960’s, and doesn’t shy away from exploring and exposing them to audiences all over the world. For example, the Corny Collins Show aspect of the musical, is based on a real show in 1960’s Baltimore called The Buddy Deane Show. Therefore, viewer’s can see the real sociocultural issues that were occurring in America during this time such as segregation, and events surrounding the Buddy Deane Show, which otherwise may have been forgotten. The heroine of the play who is a quirky plus sized teenager that wants nothing more than to dance on the hit television program. With the support of her friends, she advocates for the show to be integrated. But not everyone is accepting of Tracy, and she goes to battle with the show’s racist producer, Velma Von Tussle. Does Tracy succeed? Any age will enjoy this colorful musical filled with laughter, love, and embracing of oneself. “Hairspary! The Big Fat Broadway Musical” runs Wednesday through Sunday, March 8-24. Indio Performing Arts Center is located at 45175 Fargo Street in Indio. For tickets, call 760-321-3087 or visit dtworks.org.


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