‘Hairspray’ Heads Into Paliku Run

One girl’s dream to become a star against the odds comes true at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, when the curtain goes up on Hairspray at Paliku Theatre. The hit Broadway musical focuses on Tracy Turnblad (played by Pomai Lopez), a plus-sized girl with a bigger dream to be a star dancer on the popular Corny Collins Show in 1962.

Against the wishes of her “mother,” Edna (played by Johnny Reed, last seen in Paliku’s Phantom of the Opera), Tracy tries out and is caught up in a whirlwind of love and ambition — as well as the battle for racial integration on network television.

Ron Bright directs the play, which also stars Lenny Villanueva, Allison Maldonado, Tori Anguay delaCruz and Amber de Marco, with Chris Gritti as Corny Collins. Hairspray earned eight Tony awards and spawned a 2007 film in which John Travolta played Edna.

Choreographer is Marcelo Pacleb, and Clarke Bright conducts the orchestra, while Sandy Riford takes charge of sets and lights.

The play runs Friday-Sunday until Oct. 12, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35 (VIP seating), $29, $26 and $22. Call the box office at 235-7310 or visit etickethawaii.com.