Ridley College students took to the stage to present the musical Hairspray last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  The Mandeville theatre was packed with enthusiastic audiences for all three evenings.  The songs are so catchy, the costumes and sets are amazing and the performances will blow you away!  The choreography and the music provided by the orchestra added to the whole theatre experience.  It was so much fun to watch Tracy Turnblad played by Morgynne A. belt out the opening number – ‘Good Morning Baltimore’:

I felt as though I was taking a trip back to the 1960s with the ‘Nicest Kids in Town’, Gregorio A. played the perfect host of the Corny Collins Show :

Briony, Liz G. and Morgynne stand up to their mothers, Maddie K, Alanna K. and Matt. C in ‘Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now’:

Briony plays Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend with hilarity! Her awkward dance moves and shyness make her a lovable character and Colin H. plays dreamboat Link Larkin with confidence.

The staging and ensemble cast make ‘I Can Hear the Bells’ a memorable performance:

Alanna K. transforms on stage to the hysterical, high strung and overbearing mother, Velma Von Tussle, the producer of the Corny Collins show and former  ‘Miss Baltimore Crabs’:

Matt C. plays Edna Turnblad – you may remember John Travolta played this role in the most recent movie version of Hairspray.  Matt was amazing as Tracy’s mother, yes I said mother, his comedic timing was right on!

‘Welcome to the 60’s’:

Shaneel N. plays Tracy’s new friend Seaweed with innate coolness.

‘Run and Tell That’:

Chinekwu O. as Motormouth Maybelle has an amazing voice, this song about the struggle for equality in the second act is very moving:

To view photos from the show, click here:
First Act: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52074008@N03/sets/72157625998057219/
Second Act: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52074008@N03/sets/72157625998057219/

Every student fully embraced their character. The actors, musicians, set & costume designers and crew have all worked extremely hard to make the production as wonderful and as well-received as it is.