You surely “can’t stop the beat” at Michigan City High School. The brilliant musical staff and talented students at MCHS performed their own rendition of the musical “Hairspray” to an anticipating crowd of friends and family.
Kortney Brennan, the musical director and teacher at MCHS, was very eager for their opening night.
“We are very psyched and excited. It took a lot of hard work; a lot of time, a lot of energy, a lot of love; it’s emotional. We have become a close family through all that we’ve shared,” said Brennan.
“Hairspray” is a heartwarming story about a girl named Tracy Turnblad, who wants to follow her singing and dancing dreams—along with stealing the heart of the “dreamiest” heartthrob in her school, Link Larkin (Danny Konshak). Tracy Turnblad (Logan Jones) always seems to start the day with a spring in her step and a plan to outshine the oh-so-perfect Amber Von Tussle (Autumn Kinney) whose mother, Velma Von Tussle (Jessa Cawthron), directs “The Corny Collins Show.”
However, there is something even bigger going on as well—Tracy also wants to promote integration of the two best dance shows in her town: The Corny Collins Show and its segment “Negro Day.” When Velma Von Tussle refuses Little Inez (Kennedy Hobson) entrance into The Corny Collins Show because of her skin, Tracy takes that injustice to heart and promises to advocate for equality.
“I love how fun and quirky ‘Hairspray’ is. Happiness and acceptance for everyone is a large theme along with being different. I loved learning the dances and also being able to show Tracy Turnblad’s character and cause to different types of people,” Logan Jones, who plays Tracy Turnblad, said.
There is never an instance where a character in “Hairspray” is not growing for the good of themselves and their communities—save the Von Tussles. The groups of friends whose differences make them stronger come out above the rest who believe that there is only one way to every situation.
Michigan City High School’s performance of the musical “Hairspray” was definitely unforgettable, but don’t fret—the wonderful cast and crew will be resetting their “do’s” on Saturday night (April 20) at 7 p.m. and again Sunday afternoon (April 21) at 2:00 p.m.