VOLUME 11, ISSUE 6 “HOME OF THE PHANTOMS” March 2015 “Hairspray:”PAHS can’t stop the beat! Written by: Amanda blues from the time period. During this time, audience want to get up and dance too. “The the fight for civil rights was at its peak and musical has wonderfully catching tunes. You Hozyash discrimination and segregation was on every walk out and you’re still humming them all,” block. President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed Mrs. Tavani said. the Civil Rights Act through Congress, which The musical’s original Broadway produc- was supposed to prohibit discrimination in In the last week of March tion opened on August 15, 2002, won eight public places. Women and minorities finally Tony Awards out of thirteen nominations, you may see some of your peers walking began to grasp the through the halls repeating their lines, hum- respect in society ming tunes, or wearing dolled-up suits and that they had been old-fashioned dresses. This isn’t for any his- hoping for. Alt- tory project, but for the spring musical: hough these laws “Hairspray.” All theatre shows here at PAHS were enforced, African Ameri- cans’ problems were not com- pletely solved. In the show, Tra- cy Turnblad, a plump teenager growing up in Baltimore, Mary- land dreams of performing on The Corny Col- lins Show, a local TV dance pro- gram. When she wins the role, she meets people of all races, and Tracy and friends join Motormouth Maybelle encourages them at her record shop. to be on the show with her, but some people don’t agree with racial inclusion. and ran over 2,500 performances. The PAHS The cast of this particular show isn’t just performance of the play will take place at spectacular because of its wide range of ages, 7PM on Thursday March 26th, Friday the ethnicities, and races; this musical gives 27th, and Saturday the 28th. Tickets can be many opportunities for the students to show ordered from the high school webpage or off their talents. There are several speaking purchased at the door. Don’t miss out on this parts and the entire ensemble plays an im- extraordinary musical! portant role. Not only that, but there are great songs that will make the The cast performs the iconic “You Can’t Stop The are miraculous, but this par- Beat.” ticular one is unlike any other. The musical’s produc- er, Mrs. Tavani, stated: “What I like best is it’s a very high energy play.” Students of all ages, ethnici- ties, and races have come together to put on this inter- racial musical that will astound the audience. The musical is based on a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and the 1988 John Waters film “Hairspray.” Taking place in Baltimore in the 1960s, the songs in- clude dance music and “downtown” rhythm and Madison DiAddezio as Tracy Turnblad third production she has been acknowledging Written by: Devin Gervasi involved in at PAHS. She has been where you came seen as Paulette in “Legally from and where Blonde,” and Trix the Aviatrix in you can go with Senior Madison DiAddezio plays “The Drowsy Chaperone.” the lessons you have learned. It is Tracy Turnblad, the lead role of this Tracy is a very positive and relat- so powerful. I also year’s spring musical. Tracy Turn- able character, and the audience love ‘You Can’t blad is a very high-energy character and sees everyone as will definitely fall in love with her. Stop the Beat.’” equal. Tracy works her way to landing a role on The Corny Tracy has a very school-girlish Maddy insisted, Collins Show, and uses her fame to promote integration on style, and Maddy will wear cushion- “My favorite part the show. Tracy has always had a dream of being on TV, ing to make her look bigger. To- of the show is and believes everyone should have an equal opportunity to wards the end of when The Corny follow their dreams. the show, Tracy Collins Show be- begins to wear Maddy had a dream too, comes officially vibrant patterns, and it was to have a lead integrated and breaking the tradi- role in the musical in her everyone is able to tional 50s style. The last year of high school. So, dance together and show is set in the that is exactly what she got. just have fun, be- early 60s so people She said, “I like that I can cause that’s what have not explored really take the stage for one life is really about.” last time. Yes, it is difficult the outgoing 60s memorizing the lines and fashion, but Tracy is Tracy Turn- the dances because I only because she is ready Tracy Turnblad and Link Larkin share a blad sees people for the future of not in color, but have a ten minute break moment on The Corny Collins show. during the entire show. It pop culture. as equal. Every- one should be takes a lot of energy, but I Because Maddy is able to do what could not ask for a better the lead, she is a they love to do, because they love to do it. Maddy thinks it role.” Maddy has a love for part of almost every scene and she gets to is crucial that the audience sees in Tracy what she hopes to singing and dancing, and experience every song. She said, “‘I Know see in herself: “It is important to accept people without ever since her freshman Where I’ve Been’ is one of my favorite judgment.” Everyone should come see the musical to sup- year she knew she had to songs, which is sung by Motormouth be on the stage. This is the Maybelle (Safiyyah Jones). It is all about port Maddy, and everyone else in this year’s cast! Chris Fitting as Link Larkin Written by: Owen Goryl said what attracted him to the role was that “he is the male lead, but Link has great songs and he really is a likeable character, and I hope to portray him that way.” Senior Chris Fitting is prepared Previously, Chris was involved in “Guys and Dolls,” for one more big role at PAHS. In “Legally Blonde,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Chris is the spring musical, “Hairspray,” Fitting has the role of male lead and teen heartthrob Link Larkin. Link is a young danc- also involved in community theater outside of school. er on the Corny Collins Show and the love interest of In a dance heavy show, Chris has had to work very hard Tracy Turnblad. Link grows through the show, becoming on his dancing, and on the music side of the show Link has open to the diversity around him and changing as a person. a high vocal range that Chris found difficult to perfect. In Chris the show, Link sings “It Takes Two,” a song Fitting said, “I Teen heartthrob Link Larkin sings “It Takes really had to work hard Two.” for. Link is the hot guy of the show and I had to really get into that role to get the most out of it.” Link sports a blue button down shirt and a sweater vest, with some sleek khaki pants. Chris’ everyday rehearsal consists of a lot of dancing and really nailing all of the little details. He said, “The learn all of the dances.” production staff has been a “I like that I have the chance to play an iconic role like big help to me, and the this, and watching Zac Efron as Link in the 2007 movie director Ron Quirk has really pushes me and I want to try my best to be better been huge on really nailing than he was,” Chris added. He has worked very hard day in the character of Link. Dr. and day out and expects the show to be very successful. Carp has really helped me Chris has really enjoyed being in the musical and said, “It’s learn all the music and Mrs. a challenging show, harder than ones in the past. We’ve Hodgkiss has been very worked so hard for this and it’s going to turn out great.” important in helping me THE PURPLE PRESS VOLUME 11 ; ISSUE 6 PAGE 2 Jake Gould as Edna Turnblad Josh Bush as Wilbur Turnblad Written by: talk, and practice walking around in high Written by: Benjamin Wilbur is married to Edna Turnblad, a Brett Arney heels.” Armstrong “drag role,” played by Jake Gould. In one scene you can expect the couple to sing a Edna Turnblad is a plus-sized mother of It’s no doubt that romantic duet together, so look forward to main character Tracy Turnblad. She runs a Junior Jake “Hairspray” will that! laundry business out of her home and does Gould tackled a probably make you not really go out much because she is not As for the dancing aspect, it has been a little whole new chal- laugh, and part of self-confident, but eventually becomes bit of a challenge for Josh to get a hold of, lenge in this year’s that is due to the Tracy’s agent. She is very sarcastic and puts but he has greatly improved. Just like Wil- Spring Musical, “Hairspray.” Jake is playing comedy-centered role of Wilbur Turnblad, down her daughter Tracy a lot. bur, one of Josh’s ways to get into character the role of Edna Turnblad. Yes, you heard played by junior Josh me, he is playing the role of a woman! To play the role of Edna Turnblad, Jake will Bush.