Manchester High School Students Set to Stage 'Hairspray' This Weekend

students have been working hard to prepare for this weekend’s much anticipated production of the musical "Hairspray."

“The upbeat show offers plenty of musical numbers. Students have been hard at work learning the choreography and music,” said Jennifer Ansbach, Business Manager in charge of ticket sales.

"Hairpray," a musical inspired by a 1988 film, tells the story of a teen in the 1960s who dreams of dancing on a popular television show and her rise to instant celebrity. A second film version, based on the musical, was produced in 2007 and stars John Travolta. 

Principal Alexander George said that he is looking forward to watching his students show off their talents this weekend.

“I know there are a lot of kids who have been working extremely hard since before Thanksgiving, so there is a lot of anticipation building up to Friday night,” he said.

Friday's opening night performance has already sold out, George said. 

Seats are still available for the 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday shows, but Ansbach said that "tickets are selling fast."

"Between the amazing show and the new theater, this is a popular production," she said.

“Ticket sales have been very strong," George said. Seats cost $8 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased by filling out an order form online or at the high school office. If still available, tickets will also be sold at the door for $10.

"We usually sell out with close to 1500 [attendees] for all three shows,” Ansbach said.

Sign language interpreters and high-visibility seats are available for the 2 p.m. Saturday performance, Ansbach said.

George attributes much of the anticipation and excitement to the school's newly renovated theater, which was officially opened on Dec. 10, 2010. According to the school district, Manchester voters approved a referendum for $8.3 million in improvements in September 2009.

“With the new seating, lights and sound it is really going to be an opportunity to let our kids shine in a way that they really have not been able to before," he said. "We have always battled problems with lighting or sound with the older auditorium."

Many of the school's students are invited to get involved with different aspects of the school play, George said.

“The great thing that the director, Sarah Thiffault, does is reach out across the whole student population and we have all kinds of kids involved in the play," he said. "Some have been involved for three years and this is their fourth production, and other are just getting involved for the first time in the play."

Despite the large amount of ticket sales, the play usually does not generate any extra money for the district. 

“The show doesn't make money. Ticket sales and Playbill ads offset the costs such as costumes, sets and the pit band,” Ansbach said.

Community support has been vital to the district being able to put on such a wonderful performance.

“This will be a really nice culmination to a lot of work on behalf of students, staff, board of education and most importantly the community," George said. "Without community support getting the referendum passed, none of it would be possible."