New Bedford Festival Theatre is proud to announce the cast of its upcoming production of HAIRSPRAY which will be presented this summer – July 20-22, 26-29, 2012 for 7 performances at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 84 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA.

The cast features an array of exceptional talent from the local, Boston, New York areas, as well as many locations throughout the country. Rehearsals begin July 2 and will run through July 19 in anticipation for the July 20 opening. The staff includes: Director/Choreographer Michael Susko, Musical Director/Conductor Juan Rodriguez, Set Designer Trevor Elliott, Lighting Designer Dan Jentzen, Costume Designer Aaron Gendreau-Visco, Sound Designer Jason Choquette, Wig and Hair Designer Melissa Silva, Make-Up Coordinator Larissa Duaway-McLaughlin, Technical Director Garrett LaFrance, Stage Manager Maura Neff, Artistic Director George Charbonneau and Producer Armand Machand.

HAIRSPRAY is the winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The entire Production will be dedicated to the memory of the late Dick Clark.

Tickets for HAIRSPRAY are available at the Zeiterion Box office or by calling 508.994.2900. Group rates are available by calling 508.997.5664 x 23.

CAST

Tracy Turnblad …………………………. LAURAMARIE RONDINELLA
Corny Collins …………………………….. BOBBY SYLVIA
Amber Von Tussle …………………….. LIZZIE PALMER
Brad ……………………………………..….. TYLER INDYK
Tammy …………………………………….. JILLIAN ZUCCO
Sketch ………………………………………. DEREK CAPOBIANCO
Shelley ……………………………………… NICOLE CALKINS
IQ …………………………………………….. BRANDON CARRIERO
Fender ……………………………………… ANDREW FREITAS
Lou Ann …………………………………….KELSIE BREJCHA
Link Larkin ………………………………..RYAN OVERBERG
Prudy Pingleton …………………………ELISE ARSENAULT
Edna Turnblad ………………………….. AARON FRIED
Penny Pingleton ……………………….. HANNAH SPACONE
Velma Von Tussle …………………..… PAMELA MORGAN
Harriman F. Spritzer …………………. CHAD MICHAEL PETERS
Wilbur Turnblad ………..………………JOHN M. COSTA
Principal ………………………………..…CHAD MICHAEL PETERS
Seaweed J. Stubbs ……………………..KRISTOPHER WARD
Gilbert ………………………………………TYLER HARDWICK
Stooie ……………………………………….TIMOTHY O’NEAL SPRINGS
Lorraine ……………………………………CHANTEL DEANE
Thad ……………………………………….. DEREK BOYD
The Dynamites …………. MARLENA JOHNSON, SAMANTHA JOHNSON, BRITTNIE PRICE
Mr. Pinky …………………………………. CHAD MICHAEL PETERS
Gym Teacher ……………………………..ELISE ARSENAULT
Inez …………………………………………..TONI GRACA
Motormouth Maybelle ……………….COURTNEY DANIELS
Matron …………………………………..… ELISE ARSENAULT
Guard ………………………………………..CHAD MICHAEL PETERS

Known for his unfailing love of American youth and his generous support of ethnic performers on his nationally televised “American Bandstand,” Dick Clark has been praised for his courage and foresight in the entire entertainment field. His recent
death, after so many years of energetic television production and music promotion,
has created world-wide reflection on his talent and unique vision.

Festival Theatre will present HAIRSPRAY for 7 performances July 20-22, 26-29, 2012 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA

Tickets are available at the box office or by calling 508.994.2900. Special Group Rates are available by calling 508.997.5664 x 23.

Join in celebrating the memory of the late, great Dick Clark by seeing HAIRSPRAY, winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Edna Turnblad – Tracy’s kind, plus-sized mother – a drag role. Edna runs a laundry business out of her home. A working class, devoted, loving housewife with dreams of her own. Sincere, not campy. Tenor. Vocal Range: F below middle C to E above C.

Amber Von Tussle – Bratty, selfish resident princess of The Corny Collins Show, despite her lack of talent. She is willing to do anything to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant. Belt. Vocal Range: middle C to F above C.

Velma Von Tussle – A former beauty queen, Amber’s scheming mother and producer of The Corny Collins Show, who pushes her daughter to seek the stardom that she never had. Upscale, attractive, biting, manipulative, prejudiced snob. Belt. Vocal Range: G below middle C to E above C.

Penny Singleton – Tracy’s slightly dorky, devoted, neurotic and perky best friend. Belt. Vocal Range: middle C to G above C.

Link Larkin – A teenage heartthrob and one of The Corny Collins Show Council Members, who falls in love with Tracy. Baritone. Vocal Range: E below middle C to G above middle C.

Motormouth Maybelle – the owner of a downtown record shop and the host of “Negro Day” on The Corny Collins Show, a self described as “big, blonde and beautiful.” She is Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother. Powerful and inspiring singer with an infectious, brassy personality. Alto. Vocal Range: A below middle C to E above C.

Seaweed J. Stubbs – A hip “Negro Day” dancer and the son of of Motormouth Maybelle who falls in love with Penny. His dance lessons help Tracy get chosen for The Corny Collins Show. Cool, attractive, street smart, goodhearted. Tenor.
Vocal range: G below middle C to B above middle C.

Wilbur Turnblad – Tracy’s goofy father, who owns the Har-De-Har Joke Shop and is still madly in love with his wife, Edna. He encourages Tracy to follow her dreams. A working-class inventor with a sweet, childlike personality. Baritone.
Vocal Range: G below C to E above C.

Corny Collins – The handsome, charming, engaging, smooth and cocky host of The Corny Collins Show. No age limitations – just needs to act young enough for teens to think he is “cool.” Tenor. Vocal range; D below middle C to above
middle C.

Little Inez – Seaweed’s younger sister, who tries to audition for The Corny Collins Show, but is turned away because she is black. Spnky, tough, streetwise, outgoing, older than her years. Belt. Vocal Range: Middle C to E above C.

Female Authority Figure – The Matron guarding The Big Dollhouse; the Gym Teacher; and Prudy Singleton, Penny’s overprotective and oftern close-minded mother. Vocal Range: A below middle C to G above middle C.

Male Authority Figure – Mr. Pinky, owner of Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway who gives Tracy and her mother a makeover; the Principal of Patterson Park High School; and Mr. Harriman F. Spritzer, the President of Ultra Clutch Hairspray.

The Ensemble: males and females some of whom who play the following:

The Dynamites – 3 sassy singer/dancers inspired by the Supremes
Vocal Range: G below middle C to A above C.

The Pinkets – 4 women working in Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway
Vocal Range: G below middle C to A above C.

The Corny Collins Dancers and Council Members – IQ, Shelly, Brenda, Sketch, Fender, Tammy, Lou Ann, Brad. Need to sing and dance. Vocal range: Various.

The Ensemble need to play high school students and citizens of Baltimore.

LOCATION: The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
684 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA
Enter at stage door at rear of theatre

All roles are open to audition. Those auditioning must be 16 years or older (exept for Little Inez who should be 10 years or older). All should be prepared to sing from the show or in a style of the show. Auditioners will also be asked to perform a brief dance combination that will be taught at the audition. Please supply sheet music if your audition selection is not from HAIRSPRAY. Accompaniment will be provided. A 60’s song is best or something from the show.

Vocal selections from HAIRSPRAY to be used at the Audition:

Good Morning, Baltimore; The Nicest Kids in Town; Mamma, I’m a Big Girl Now; I Can Hear the Bells; It Takes Two; Welcome to the 60’s; Run and Tell That; Big Blonde and Beautiful; Timeless To Me; Without Love; I Know Where I’ve Been; You Can’t Stop the Beat

HAIRSPRAY is a musical comedy with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Whitman& Shaiman, a book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Water’s film. In 1962 Baltimore, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program (very much like Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.) When she wins a spot on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show and also win the heart of the show’s teen heart-throb, Link Larkin. HAIRSPRAY is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

Call 508.991.5212 for further information.

Thursday, December 8, 2011
6 pm to 8 pm
WAMSUTTA CLUB 427 County St. New Bedford, MA

• Hors d’oeuvres and Light Fare, Complimentary Drink
• Raffle, Cash Bar, Al Deston at the Keyboard

Honoring

Jennifer Hope Wills

Broadway Star and also Festival Theatre’s OKLAHOMA! 2001

Jennifer most recently won audiences’ hearts for almost four years as Christine in Broadway’s longest running musical The Phantom of the Opera. Other Broadway credits include starring as Eileen in the critically acclaimed revival of Wonderful Town opposite Brooke Shields (revamped New Broadway Cast recording), The Woman in White and Beauty and the Beast. She also appeared as Della in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn with City Center’s, Encores! Regional credits include Rose in Aspects of Love and Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow (both atWalnut Street Theatre), Maria in The Sound of Music and Julie in Carousel (both at Pittsburgh CLO), Sandy in Grease! (Paper Mill Playhouse), Lily in The Secret Garden (VMT) and Brooke/Vicki in Noises Off! (SART).

Her voice can be heard as Liesel in the famous Salzburg Marionette Theatre’s version of The Sound of Music starring Christiane Noll. She has appeared in concert with the Asheville Symphony, at Merkin Concert Hall, Town Hall and at the Mar-a-Lago Club with Howard McGillin for Donald Trump and guests. She holds an MM degree from Indiana University where she appeared on the mainstage as Laurey in Oklahoma!, Papagena in The Magic Flute, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore and Gossip I in The Ghosts of Versailles.

Tickets $35 per person

At the Zeiterion Box Office 508.994.2900 or Call Festival Theatre 508.991.5212

Tickets are limited!

“When You Wish Upon A Star” is a Fund-Raising event for Festival Theatre a not-for-profit theatre company.

New Bedford Festival Theatre will celebrate the holidays with a reception entitled “When You Wish Upon a Star” honoring Broadway Star Jennifer Hope Wills on

Thursday, December 8, 2011
6 pm to 8 pm
WAMSUTTA CLUB 427 County St. New Bedford, MA

• Hors d’oeuvres and Light Fare, Complimentary Drink
• Raffle, Cash Bar, Al Deston at the Keyboard

Jennifer Hope Wills has starred on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daae and in Wonderful Town as Eileen. Jennifer also starred as Laurey in the Festival Theatre’s production of Oklahoma! in 2001.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be obtained at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center box office or by calling 508.991.5212.

“When You Wish Upon a Star” is a fundraising event for Festival Theatre, a not-for-profit theatre company.

“If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY.”
The New York Times

It’s time to let your hair down and dance the night away!  HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s musical comedy phenomena, is coming to the South Coast area July 20-22, 26-29, 2012
presented by New Bedford Festival Theatre.  Audiences will be swept away to the 1960’s in this international smash-hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance – and enough deliriously tuneful songs and fabulous dancing to sweep anyone off their feet.

Tickets for this winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, are on sale now at the Zeiterion Performing Arts box office – 508.994.2900 or zeiterion.org.  Group discounts are available by calling 508.994.2900 x 23.

In HAIRSPRAY it’s 1962 and Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with an even bigger heart, has only one passion – to dance on the Corny Collins TV Dance Show (very much like the Dick Clark Show.)  She wins a spot and overnight changes from an outsider to a teen celebrity.  She leads a revolt to unseat the show’s Teen Queen, win the love of heart-throb Link Larkin and integrate the television show all without denting her ‘do!  Only in HAIRSPRAY!  Welcome to the ‘60’s!

Based on John Waters’ film, HAIRSPRAY has won every major theatrical award around the world!  Audiences for this family friendly musical hit have found themselves practically dancing in the aisles because “You Can’t Stop the Beat” of the infectious score, exciting dances, and the message of acceptance this joyous musical offers to all.
Audiences can expect the talented performers, professional settings and costumes, and expert sound and lighting that Festival Theatre is known for.

Don’t miss HAIRSPRAY – 2012’s Happiest Musical Comedy for 7 performance only!
Call or visit the Zeiterion Box Office Now!

Upon successful completion of the training, apprentices are then given the opportunity to hone their skills by serving as members of the ʻrun crewʼ for each show. Here, they receive moment to moment guidance and daily feedback from the professional staff, which serves to shape their learning and bring out the best in each and every one. In other seasons, apprentices may be called on to learn to construct sets from the ʻground upʼ, as was the case in our 2008 production of “Les Miserables”. In the 2009 production of ʻThe Producersʼ, apprentices learned to install and operate a ʻtrack setʼ, which operates set movement through knife-blade tracks on a pre-cut false floor, and manage over 700 costume articles and changes.

Founded by Armand Marchand, Executive Producer, and George Charbonneau, Artistic Director, New Bedford Festival Theatre recognized early on, the significance of education in both the performing AND technical theatre arts. Now retired from successful careers in teaching, each brings their own expertise and guidance to our young apprentices.

Each year, applications are available beginning in March, and the yearʼs apprentice class is notified at the end of April. Students completing the application must have parental permission to participate, and must commit to the entire program. Due to the high number of applicants, and the nature of the program, expectations of the apprentices are high, and year after year, they rise to the challenge. Several apprentices find that the program helps to shape their college decisions, entering into technical theatre arts, performing, management, the sciences, math, creative writing, medicine, and engineering. Each develops their own ʻtakeʻ on what is needed in the production, which piques their natural curiosity. The actors enjoy sharing their own college program information with our students. The seasoned actors, share what life is like ʻin the industryʼ, which causes many to sit up and take notice that life in the lights can be grueling.

Many apprentices remain with the program each summer of their high school years, and are selected to remain as college interns in their specific areas of study. College interns have a major in the performing or technical theatre arts, and also serve as midlevel mentors to the high school apprentices.

The average high school apprentice has a curiosity about theatre, does not need to have prior experience, but must be focused and willing to take direction easily. Most have worked, or plan to work with their high school drama club. Some, work in community theatre companies, either as performers or crew, while still others, arrive without experience and leave with a bevy of skills in teamwork, creativity, and personal accountability. As a non-profit theatre company, NBFT receives grant and donation support for the program. Those funds provide educational stipends for each apprentice completing the program, and one ʻgraduatingʼ apprentice is awarded the New Bedford Festival Theatre Apprentice Scholarship, to further their education in the arts.

The New Bedford Festival Theatre Apprentice Program will begin to accept applications for our 22nd Season, in March of 2011. Those wishing to receive an application at that time, may contact Mrs. Santos at esantos@newbedfordschools.org, or 772-263-8542, and leave a message.

Originally produced on Broadway in 1968 and was revived in 2009 to glowing notices (it won the Tony award as Best Musical Revival), HAIR features such unforgettable songs as “Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and ”Easy to Be Hard.” HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60’s and 70’s that changed America forever.

HAIR follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. It uncorks the effervescent innocence of an age when young people dared to imagine that war and hatred could be drummed out by the irresistible rhythms of love.

While many find HAIR suitable for young adults (13 and older) parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20 second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature and also adult language.

Directed and Chroeographed by Festival Theatre favorite, Michael Susko, HAIR will have Musical Direction by Alex Tirrell, Scenic Design by Trevor Elliott and Lighting Design by David Kahn.