High Street's 'Hairspray' to Open Friday

Get ready, Moorpark. Ms. Tracy Turnblad is bringing her big voice to the High Street Arts Center. Yes, after several months of veiled promos, it’s finally time to announce:  Hairspray is coming to town. So, put on your shoes. Make a bouffant appointment at your favorite hair salon. It’s time to dance.

Hairspray, which first aired as a John Waters film in 1988, was conceived as a stage musical by theater producer Margo Lions in 1998. Following four years of production, it debuted on Broadway in August 2002 and ran for more than six years. During Hairspray’s run, it won eight Tony Awards.

In 2007, the musical was restaged as a film featuring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nikki Blonsky.

When producer Ken Rayzor asked director Shawn Lanz to take on this project, Lanz noted his response was almost immediate.

“A year ago,” he said, “when Ken Rayzor approached me about directing Hairspray for the High Street Arts Center, I gulped back my excitement and said, ‘Let me think about it.’ And less than five minutes later, I was back with a resounding ‘YES!’ There really wasn't any thinking to do - just processing.”

For Lanz, the show’s themes were very personal.

“Hairspray is close to my heart for many reasons,” he explained. “Aside from being a hilarious script, the show deals with several very important issues:  the struggle for equality, the struggle for personal identity and, most of all, the fight for acceptance. This, more than the comedy, speaks to me.”

How does Hairspray explore these themes?

“It shows that a chubby girl can dance and get the boy,” said Lanz, “that blacks and whites can play together, that people with different backgrounds and interests can come together to create something beautiful. It shows us that a mish-mosh of likes, dislikes, interests, personalities and talents make life not only more interesting, but also just plain livable.”

Lanz is dedicating this show to someone who inspired his own personal journey.

“I dedicate this show to my mom, Sharon White, who has taught me every day of my life that everyone and everything is valuable, and who has shown me how to embrace people's differences and accept people for who they are, not who I wish they could be,” he said.

Hairspray opens Friday and runs through Feb. 12. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Opening night tickets include a Champagne reception with the cast at The Secret Garden restaurant just a few doors down on High Street. Opening night ticket prices are $23 for adults; $19 for seniors (55+), students, teachers and military; $15 for children 12 and under.

Ticket prices for all other performances are: $18 for adults; $14 for seniors (55+), students, teachers and military; $10 for children 12 and under. Group rates are available for all performances, including opening night. Tickets may be purchased online at www.highstreetartscenter.com. For group sales and other information call 805-529-8700 or e-mail at HighStreetArtsCenter@ci.moorpark.ca.us. The theater is located at 45 E. High St.