Hairspray opens Friday

Coralville - This weekend marks an event that has been over a decade in the making. Back in the summer of 1997, a group of community theatre artists came together to form City Circle Acting Company of Coralville. They produced their first show, Nunsense, at the Oakdale campus. Even then they were dreaming of a permanent home. Through the years, they have performed at many different locations from a junior high school auditorium to a warehouse to a swimming pool. This weekend, they will present Hairspray, their first musical in their new home, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. It's an amazing space with a beautiful proscenium and stadium seating guaranteeing a good seat no matter where you are.

Tickets can be purchased at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 1301 12th Street in Coralville, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Saturdays from noon to 4:00 pm and by calling 248-9370. Or, choose your seats online at http://www.CoralvilleArts.com .

Based on the 1988 John Waters movie of the same name, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad and her desire to dance on the local television dance sensation, The Corny Collins Show. On the way, she becomes a champion of self-acceptance, racial integration and plus-size fashion!

Set in 1960s Baltimore, the original score by Tony Winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will thrill the Center audience with rocking upbeat numbers and soulful ballads alike.

Director Chad Larabee, who cut his directing teeth in the corridor in the late 1990s before moving on to regional, New York and London productions, promises a top-notch production showing off the capabilities of the new center. With brand new original choreography by local Nolte Academy of Dance owner Leslie Nolte, this is a showstopper to be sure.

Featuring music direction by Kent Keating (City High School in Iowa City, Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids), the cast and orchestra of some of the most talented performers in the area intend to blow the newly shingled roof off! “We were overwhelmed by the talent that came out to audition,” says Director Larabee.

The show runs September 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Word on the street is that tickets are selling fast. As they say in the show, “You Can’t Stop the Beat!”