Play set to run March 17, 18 and 19
By Colin Marston ’13
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy’s spring musical this year, “Hairspray,” promises a big cast, big performances and big hair.
“The set looks great, and I’m ready for production,” said student director Ian White ’12.
His role in the production of the play is to write stage directions, have a part in the play’s choreograph and scavenge for the various accessories needed onstage.
Around 90 people will be performing in “Hairspray,” with around one-third composed of Brophy boys and two -thirds Xavier girls.
Approximately 145 people are involved with the production of the show.
Work began around the third week of January for the play, and will culminate in the premiere on March 17, 18 and 19.
“This is one of the bigger shows Brophy has done with the size of the cast, constant dance and prominence of wigs, accessories and hairsprays,” White said.
The enthusiasm is shared by others as well.
“The production is going to be amazing; every single cast member has put in so much hard work and it should be a really great show,” said Ruby Meza ’13, a dance and vocal extra.
The play is mostly composed of music and dance with 24 songs throughout the performance.
There are four main ensembles for each song.
The play is about a girl named Tracy living in 1960s Baltimore, according to White.
She’s heavyset and has a passion to dance, particularly on TV.
She makes friends with black students who aren’t allowed to be on the main dance TV show and are segregated. She starts a protest until they’re put on the main TV show.
The main leads for the play are: Morgan Marum ’12 as Tracy; Nick Wren ’12 as Edna, Tracy’s mom; Grace Kirkpatrick ’12 as Penny, Tracy’s best friend; Syndey Hawes ’11 as Velma, who owns the segregated TV show; and Gary Williams ’11 as Seaweed, leader of predominately black dance group.
“Diversity is really the strongpoint of how this play relates to the Brophy community: the show portrays characters for everyone,” White said.
Mrs. Dorothy Dunnion directs and produces the play.
“The whole rehearsal process, working with kids, discovering the new talent in kids and the kids finding talent in themselves is the most fulfilling part of being a part of a play like ‘Hairspray,’” Mrs. Dunnion said.
She has been directing plays at Brophy since 1996.
“I’m amazed by student talent, and I know it will be a fabulous show,” Mrs. Dunnion said.
There are no major revisions from the original musical which ran on Broadway, winning eight Tony Awards.
Tickets will be on sale soon through cast members and Ms. Sandra Dennard in the SAC.
