FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BSC Press Director Charlie Siedenburg, 551-655-0968

Barrington Stage Company Youth Theatre presents
Hairspray JR.
July 23 through August 10 at Berkshire Museum;
Pittsfield Community Night July 31;
Sensory-Friendly Performance August 2

(Pittsfield, MA)  Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the Youth Theatre production of Hairspray JR., from July 23 through August 10 at Berkshire Museum (39 South Street) in Pittsfield, MA.

Barrington Stage Artistic Director Julianne Boyd in a statement noted that, “For our 20th Anniversary Season we’re thrilled to present the award-winning musical Hairspray JR. which is our largest Youth Theatre production to date.  We’re proud to have a diverse ethnic group of teenagers for this exciting high-energy musical.”

Hairspray JR., based on the John Waters film and Tony Award-winning stage musical of the same name, features the popular songs “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Good Morning Baltimore.” Filled with energetic dance numbers and unique characters, Hairspray JR. is a show that celebrates diversity and will bring audiences to their feet with its positive message and off-beat sense of humor.

The cast of 18 is comprised of teenagers (many of them making their BSC debuts)and features Tori Dakin (Prudy Pingleton), Maya Finston Fox (Lorraine), Olivia Finston-Fox (Little Inez), Cullen Fisher (Wilbur Turnblad), Daniel Garrity (Mr. Pinky), Jordan Gross (Edna Turnblad), Nicole Jones (Penny Pingleton), Oliva Kinne (Tammy), Joey LaBrasca (Link Larkin), Julia Murphy (Amber von Tussle), Brianna Nicola (Cindy), Merudjina Normil (Kamilah), Cheyenne Reed (Brenda), Kelsey Rich (Velma von Tussle), Jake Smerechniak (Corny Collins), Courtney Stewart (Seaweed), Gabrielle Straight (Tracy Turnblad), and Raymond White (Motormouth Maybelle).

Christine O’Grady returns for her eighth year as director and choreographer. Her BSC credits include the popular Youth Theatre productions of Disney’s Little Mermaid JR., Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Disney’s High School Musical, Disney’s High School Musical 2, and Seussical. O’Grady served as the Associate Choreographer for the Tony-winning Broadway revival of HAIR and the recent national tour. She recently choreographed a NYC revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro. Sarah Brett England returns for her third Youth Theatre production as Music Director. Her BSC credits include Disney’s Little Mermaid JR. and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR.

The creative team for Hairspray JR. includes Set Designer Jordan Janota, Costume Designer Krissy Sneshkoff, Lighting Designer Adam Bishop, Stage Manager Alex Eberle, and Assistant Director/Choreographer Natalie Sala.

Barrington Stage will host a special “Pittsfield Community Night” at the Youth Theatre performance of Hairspray JR. on July 31 at 7:00pm at the Berkshire Museum.  Following the performance (which runs approximately 75 minutes), there will be a panel discussion featuring the cast, BSC company members and Pittsfield community leaders who confront some of the same issues, such as racism and discrimination, that are tackled in Hairspray JR.   A reception will follow the discussion. To reserve your tickets, call us at 413–499-5446 and ask for Kate McCombs.

Performances of Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre production of Hairspray JR. are July 23 through August 10, at Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield.  Performance times are Wed-Fri at 7pm; Wed/Thurs/Sun at 2pm; Sat at 12:30pm and 3:30pm. Add’l matinee on Mon, July 28 at 1pm.  Group Rates available. Box Office: 413-236-8888 or order online at www.barringtonstageco.org.

Barrington Stage will offer a Sensory-Friendly Performance on Hairspray JR., Saturday, August 2 at 12:30pm.  Sensory-friendly performances are designed to be more accessible to those individuals on the autism spectrum or to others with sensory sensitivities.  Tickets: $16 adults; $12 youth ages 5-18.

About Barrington Stage Company

Barrington Stage Company, a professional award-winning Equity regional theatre located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA, was co-founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. Barrington Stage’s mission is three-fold: to present top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways to bringing new audiences into the theatre—especially young people. Barrington Stage garnered national attention in 2004 when it workshopped, and premiered William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s musical hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which later transferred to Broadway, where it won two Tony Awards. In 2009/2010 Barrington Stage produced the world premiere of Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session, which later moved Off-Broadway and played for two years. St. Germain’s Becoming Dr. Ruth (which premiered at BSC as Dr. Ruth, All the Way in 2012) played Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in fall 2013. Barrington Stage was voted “Best Live Theatre” by The Berkshire Eagle readers in 2011 and 2012 and was named “Best Theatre Company” in Metroland’s Best of the Capital Region 2009-2012.

#             #             #