By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–New Village Arts closes its 24th season with “Hairspray, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical that proves one voice can spark a movement.
As the largest production in New Village Arts’ history, this vibrant, high-energy staging raises the bar for what’s possible on the Ray Charles Stage.
Bursting with infectious rhythms, vibrant characters, and a whole lot of heart, this high-energy production celebrates the power of inclusion, individuality, and standing up for what’s right, even when the odds are stacked sky-high.
Performances on the Ray Charles Stage will run June 5 through July 19 at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center in Carlsbad Village.
Previews are June 5 through 12, with an Opening Night champagne reception and Handel’s Ice Cream on June 13. Dea Hurston Industry Night will be held on July 6.
Set in 1962 Baltimore, “Hairspray” follows the unstoppable Tracy Turnblad, a big-hearted teen with big dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” When Tracy lands a spot on the program, she becomes an overnight sensation, and quickly realizes she can use her newfound platform to challenge racial segregation and redefine beauty standards. Packed with beloved songs like “Good Morning Baltimore,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and “I Know Where I’ve Been,” The musical is a high-octane musical comedy that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Beneath its infectious joy and humor lies a powerful message about inclusion, equity, and the importance of using one’s voice, making it as relevant today as ever.
Led by a dynamic trio of artists, this production of “Hairspray” brings together bold vision, musical precision, and high-energy movement. Kali Boston makes her professional directorial debut, shaping the production with a fresh perspective, rooted in her leadership as Artistic Producer at New Village Arts. Music Director Erin Vanderhyde-Gross returns to New Village Arts Center following her work earlier this season on [title of show], among others. New Village Arts Center welcomes choreographer Kara Mack to the creative team, contributing an expansive background that spans film, television, and live performance, including work on “Coming 2 America,” the 2023 “The Color Purple” movie, collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper, and teaching at UC San Diego. Together, this creative team will mold “Hairspray” with contemporary energy, cultural depth, and a vibrant theatricality that reimagines the beloved musical for today’s audiences.
“Hairspray is often remembered for its joy and spectacle, but at its core it’s about disruption, about young people challenging the systems they’ve inherited. For this production, we’re leaning into that urgency while fully embracing the show’s theatricality. The audience becomes part of the Corny Collins Show, creating a live, electric environment where the lines between performer and spectator begin to blur,” says Kali Boston, Director.
Leading the cast is Linsey Schreck as the unstoppable Tracy Turnblad, alongside Luxe The Drag Queen as Edna Turnblad and Dennis Peters as Corny Collins. Alyssa Anne Schechter as Velma VonTussel, with Mikayla Kelley as Amber VonTussel. As heartthrob Link Larkin, NVA welcomes Max Leadley and Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton. Other cast members include Irelynn Terranami, Eboni Muse (The Color Purple, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent) brings powerhouse vocals to Motormouth Maybelle, joined by Alexander Brown as Seaweed J. Stubbs and Keanna Pye (Dea Hurston College Fellow) as Little Inez. The Dynamites: Nikki Antoine, Xantia Grant, and Destiny Denny, will add electric energy. Max Cadillac (Wilbur Turnblad and Others) and Jonni Garro (Prudy Pingleton and Others) round out the principal cast.
The ensemble also includes Sandy Cameron, Ida Jackson, Wes Jensen, Aaron Reaves(Dea Hurston College Fellow), Jack Stuhley, Lashawn Ware. Chloe Chenfeld, Isabella Fernandes (NVA College Acting Apprentice), Shannon Gerrity, Aiden Meyndert, and Aarin Wilson.
“Hairspray’ was one of the cornerstones of my childhood as I would just watch it all the time, and its message feels just as poignant and relevant today. I feel incredibly honored to be part of this amazing cast. Stepping into Tracy’s shoes has felt so empowering because she leads with her heart and unwavering determination. I truly admire Tracy’s confidence and allyship; we could all use a little more of both, so I aspire to carry that with me onstage and off.” said Linsey Schreck.
“Recently a friend, very openly and honestly, reminded me how beautiful I am – and it struck so deep that the tears washed every scar and regret into the depths of my mind. It makes me think of Edna and Wilbur’s love and how it transcends physique and surface level petty-nonsense no matter someone’s size, gender, race, sexuality, age, or presentation, said Luxe The Drag Queen.
“Hairspray” welcomes audiences to celebrate not only the legacy of this beloved musical, but also the vibrant, inclusive community that New Village Arts has built over the past quarter century.
