By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Good morning, Baltimore!
And welcome to Salisbury, ‘Hairspray.’
The much-anticipated PPT production of the hit Broadway musical is opening March 31 at the Meroney Theater.
Directed by Reid Leonard, the show follows the fortunes of loveable plus-size heroine Tracy Turnblad, played by Meghan McLaughlin.
Tracy has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” She’s transformed from outsider to celebrity in the blink of an eye.
Can a larger-than-life teen manage to vanquish the program’s reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love — singing and dancing all the while —without mussing her hair?
McLaughlin definitely has the singing chops for the part, and audiences who have followed the acting career of Gary Thornburg from his days as The Artful Dodger will get plenty of chuckles seeing him attired in a dress (with ample padding) to take on the role of Tracy’s mom, Edna Turnblad (played by John Travolta in the 2007 movie version).
This is a big show, with an orchestra directed by Virgie Taylor and a cast of more than 40 performers — including three members of the Weant family: Wendy Weant as Velma Von Tussle (the role played by Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie); Ginny Weant as Penny Pingleton, and Katie Weant as one of the Denizens of Baltimore.
Virgie Taylor conducts the orchestra and vocal directors are Jenny Carroll and Adrian Smith.
The show plays March 31-April 2 and April 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. and April 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Adult tickets are $15; tickets for students and seniors are $12. The box office opens to the public March 28. Open for walk-ins from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. or call 704-633-5471 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
You can also buy tickets online at www.piedmontplayers.com.
The Meroney Theater is located at 213 S. Main Street.