The Taylor Performing Arts Center Presents Hairspray

This holiday season, the Taylor Performing Arts Center in Monrovia will present the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray on Dec. 4, 5, and 6, 2015, for four performances only.

Hairspray, based on the 1988 John Waters film, first opened on Broadway in August of 2002 and proceeded to win eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2003. Set in 1962, Hairspray tells the story of vibrant yet vulnerable Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad, who wins a role on the The Corny Collins Show, becomes a local celebrity overnight, and ultimately launches a campaign to integrate the show. “Songs include 1960s-style dance music that will make you want to get up out of your seat and dance in the aisles,” said Patrick Garcia, Director of Performing Arts for Monrovia Unified School District and the Producing, Artistic Director for the Taylor Performing Arts Center.

Monrovia resident and Bradoaks Elementary parent Mitch Rily will play the lead role of Edna Turnblad. Mr. Rily was last seen at the Taylor Center as the Cowardly Lion in the 2014 production of The Wizard of Oz. “Mitch is a gifted actor with the ability to engage and captivate an audience. We are also very pleased to announce that talented Monrovia High School student China Simpson will play the role of Little Inez,” said Garcia. Actress Savannah Coon will make her debut at the Taylor Center in the lead role as the irrepressible Tracy Turnblad. Other Los Angeles actors making their debut at the Taylor Center include Matthew Harr as Corny Collins, Hannah Gomez as Penny, Alexander Hurren as Link, and Veneta Thompson as Motormouth Maybelle.

Returning to the Taylor Center are well-known Southern California actors Cody Clark as Wilbur

Turnblad, Musique as Seaweed, Emily Clark as Velma Von Tussle, and Deanna Bakker as Amber

Von Tussle. Monrovia High School students in the ensemble include Rose Luiten, Thomas

Jaime, Eduardo Ambriz, and Haley Rogers. Hairspray features a cast of 35 talented actors,

singers and dancers.

The creative team for Hairspray includes director and professional opera singer Andrew

Fernando; Broadway dancer and choreographer Paul David Bryant; and expert music director and conductor Brigham Freeth.

Hairspray is the sixth professional production for the community to be produced at the Taylor

Center, which is located on the campus of Monrovia High School. Garcia has plans to expand audience support for Hairspray through the use of additional social media and print ads in weekly newspapers in the San Gabriel Valley. He is also counting on the loyal and ongoing support of Taylor Center audiences who have enthusiastically supported previous productions including Music Man, White Christmas, The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me In St. Louis, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. “Hairspray is absolutely hilarious with so much heart and the music will make your sprit soar! It’s the perfect musical to put the whole family in the holiday spirit,” added Garcia.

Advanced tickets may be purchased at Monrovia Travel located at 401 South Myrtle Avenue or through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006.

Advanced tickets may also be purchased from anyone on the Taylor Center’s Publicity and Marketing Committee including Kim Petulla, Joanne Spring, Maria Gray, Helen Hernandez, Ella Robertson, Landie Lopez, Kathy Rosenberg, Penny Zuk or Carrie De Francisco.

General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and children age 12 and younger. $20 tickets are available for groups of 10 or larger as well as for senior citizens age 65 and above. VIP tickets are available for $35. Rush tickets in the first row are $10 and will be sold on a first come first served basis before each performance. On Saturday, Dec. 5th all 2 p.m. matinee tickets will be $10 with the exception of VIP tickets. The Taylor Performing Arts Center is located at 845 West Colorado Boulevard in Monrovia, California 91016. Tickets may also be purchased at the Taylor Performing Arts Center beginning one hour before show time.

Hairspray is sponsored by Monrovia Unified School District.

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