PJ Players present 'Hairspray'

SPARTA — The Pope John Players have been gearing up to present their 2013 musical production of "Hairspray."

The show started yesterday, Feb. 20 with the senior citizen show and benefit dinner.

Opening night is tonight, Thursday,Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Additional shows will be Friday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m., a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. and closing performance at 8.

The show highlights the various types of discrimination that a group of Baltimore students face in 1962 as they push for the integration of a popular TV dance show.

The original Broadway production won several Tony awards and was followed by a popular movie version fetauring Zac Ephron, Vanessa Hudgens, Marissa Winnikur, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynnes, Brittany Snow and Michelle Pfeiffer.

The show was chosen by Director Jacki Burt because it highlights the importance of acceptance for all types of people-not only in a high school setting but throughout society.

While race is the dominant area where some of the students face bullying and cruelty, there are also clear examples of cruelty over issues of weight, gender, age, intellectual, employment and financial discrimination.

The cast, crew and pit represent over 130 students at the school.

Students auditioned and were cast by an 18-member faculty and alumni panel and have been in rehearsals since November.

The cast features freshman newcomer Joy O'Brien as Tracy, junior all conference football players Tom Adams and Dan Cunico as Edna and Corny Collins, senior Peter Born as Link Larkin, Taniyah Montes as Little Inez, Chris Bottone as Seaweed, senior Gabrianna Boomer as Motormouth Mabel, senior Samantha Silverman as Velma, Princeton-bound senior Erik Massenzio as Wilbur, Avalon Christie as Amber, Rebecca Proctor as Penny, Allison Zuckerman as Prudy and a host of talented singers and competition dancers.

Tickets are $10 available at the door for all productions.

Photos by Amy Bate
For more photos, go to www.spartaindependent.com