“Hairspray” – Opens this weekend - featuring A 'Stoga Student and Young Adults from Several Upper Main Line communities

The Upper Darby Summer Stage Mainstage production of “Hairspray” opened last weekend to rave reviews and will run for just three more performances this weekend. Performances are on Friday, August 10 at 7:30pm and Saturday, August 11 at 1:30pm and at 7:30pm.

Over one hundred young adults from throughout the Delaware Valley (up to the age of 28) auditioned for the show and just over sixty actors and dancers were selected, many from Main Line communities including Merion, Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Devon.

David Corenswet of Merion plays the suave and debonair Corny Collins in “Hairspray,” the host of the live TV dance show. He is a graduate of the Shipley School and attends the University of Pennsylvania.  

In “Hairspray,” "The Corny Collins Show” airs every school day at 4PM. It features the Council Members, a group of "the nicest kids in town,” who perform the latest dances in Baltimore. The show itself features only white kids, yet Corny clearly wants the show to be integrated, as is often show in his arguments with the station manager, Velma.

After one of his dancers left the show for nine months Corny holds a dance contest for a new contestant. He is amazed by the dance skills of Tracy Turnblad, the overweight but overly enthusiastic young dancer. Collins makes Tracy the newest council member to the surprise of the show’s producers. What ensues is a high-energy, non-stop song and dance extravaganza that takes a comedic glimpse at the issues of the early 1960s.

With a creative staff of professionals, the “Hairspray” costumes are designed by staff from Walnut Street Theatre, the lighting design is by a Barrymore Award-winning designer, the retro set brings the audience back to the ‘60s, and the non-stop score is performed by a full, live orchestra.

Besides David Corenswet other young performers from Main Line  communities include Savanna Stanton-Ameisen of Bryn Mawr, Gabrielle Niggeman of Devon, Leo Koorhan of Merion Station, and Daniel Hawkins and Rachel Walker of Wayne.  

At just $10-$13 per ticket, the show is a bargain, but each audience member will be treated to a top-quality production! Tickets are going fast. Call the Box Office at 610.622.1189 for more information and to purchase tickets or visit www.udpac.org. Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located at 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. Free Parking.