THEATRE BY THE SEA’S 92ndSEASON CONTINUES WITH THE TONY® AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL HAIRSPRAY
WAKEFIELD, RI – In celebration of 92 years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to present the big fat Tony® Award-winning sensation, Hairspray, which will be presented from July 23 – August 16, 2025.
“Hairspray was extraordinarily popular when we first produced it back in 2011,” said Bill Hanney. “It’s such an entertaining, joyful musical, full of humor, great music, and positive messages. With everything going on in the world today, I thought this was the perfect time to bring it back!”
You can’t stop the beat! The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire – to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do! Hairspray is an irresistible, feel-good show with a Tony® Award-winning book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and a Tony® Award-winning score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman featuring the hit songs “Welcome to the ‘60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and many more. Hairspray is “fresh, winning and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).
Returning to Theatre By The Sea as Director and Choreographer is Christopher Campbell, who directed and choreographed The Bodyguard in 2023. Joining him as Associate Choreographer is Johnny Fenton, who is also making his stage debut as a member of the Ensemble. Also returning to TBTS is Musical Director Nathan Urdangen who previously music directed The Sound of Music, The Bodyguard, and Footloose.
The 28-member cast features the talents of Niki Metcalf, who portrayed the role of Tracy Turnblad on the North American tour of Hairspray and is so excited to once again “eat some breakfast then change the world” as Tracy. Joining her as Edna Turnblad is Marc Christopher, who has portrayed a range of roles including Patrick Star in The Spongebob Musical, Nostradamus in Something Rotten!,and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. Miss Metcalf and Mr. Christopher are both making their Theatre By The Sea stage debuts.
Alana Cauthen whose national and international credits include the 20th Anniversary and Japan National tour of RENT, returns to Theatre By The Sea, having previously appeared in Smokey Joe’s Café, in the pivotal role of Motormouth Maybelle. Playing Tracy’s quirky father Wilbur will be Kevin B. McGlynn, who recently portrayed the role of Joe in TBTS’ critically acclaimed production of Waitress, and Rhode Islander Andrew Holder, previously seen at TBTS as Flounder in The Little Mermaid, will appear as Corny Collins, with Ginger Kroll, who returns after appearing as Sister Margaretta in last season’s The Sound of Music playing the role of Velma Von Tussle.
Local favorites Melanie Souza last seen at TBTS as Genie Klein in Beautiful, and Fred Sullivan, Jr., who appeared as agent Stan Fields in Tootsie, both play multiple roles throughout the musical. Rounding out the cast are Olivia Allen, Asim Baraka, Moriah J. Baskett, Jake Bryan, Marcus Byers, Jr., Indya Cherise, Audrey Curdo, Amanda Domb, Madeline Glave, Joshua Griffin, Preston Karp, Dylan Lugosi, Paris Martino, Evan Owen, Katy Plaziak, Nia Simone Smith, Daisy Wilson-Dzogbe, Domenic Young, and Sam Yousuf.
The creative team includes resident scenic designer Cassie McKnight, lighting designer Paul Jonathan Davis, wig designer Liz Printz, costumes by Maine State Costume Rentals, and sound designer Alex Berg, along with Madelyn López (Production Stage Manager), and Delayna Wahlberg (Assistant Stage Manager). Hairspray is being produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Thom Warren (Associate Producer). Hairspray is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Audiences are invited to enhance their theatre experience by dining at the on-site restaurant, Bistro By The Sea, which is being managed by Mark & Alicia Bryson of Duck Press in Wakefield. Following performances on select Friday and Saturday evenings, theatergoers can enjoy fun, food and drinks at the popular Late Night Cabaret, beginning August 1.
Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online at www.theatrebythesea.com/menu or by calling (401) 789-3030. Before or after the meal theatergoers can enjoy the lush seaside gardens, which contain over 300 varieties of perennials, grasses, shrubs and climbing plants, which offer a magical environment for flower lovers of all ages.
Hairspray will be presented from July 23 – August 16, with preview performances on July 23 and 24 and opening night scheduled for July 25 Performances are scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:00 pm, and Sundays at 5:00 pm, with special performance times on Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm and a special added Wednesday matinee on August 13. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield.
Tickets for preview performances, Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, July 24, are $62, and $65 – $91 for all other performances (additional fees may apply). Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112.
Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and performance days from 11:00 am until curtain, (performance Sundays 12 noon until curtain), online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and by phone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).