‘Hairspray’ is Next at The Muny

Hairspray, winner of the 2003 Tony® Award for Best Musical, returns to the Muny stage June 23-30 for 8 performances.it features music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. The Muny’s production of Hairspray, centered around a 1960s dance show in Baltimore, is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

The full cast includes Bryan Batt (Edna Turnblad), Ryann Redmond (Tracy Turnblad), Christopher J. Hanke (Corny Collins), Liz Mikel (Motormouth Maybelle), Lara Teeter (Wilber Turnblad), Heather Ayers (Velma Von Tussle), Bob Amaral (Harriman F. Spritzer/Principal/Mr. Pinky/Guard), Taylor Louderman (Amber Von Tussle), Charlotte Maltby (Penny Pingleton), John Battagliese (Link Larkin), Gerald Caesar (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Jenn Harris (Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron) and Kennedy Holmes

Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad who reaches for her dream of performing on the Corny Collins TV dance show in 1960s Baltimore – and helps to integrate the show in the process. Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, Hairspray features such award-winning songs as “Good Morning Baltimore,” “It Takes Two,” “I Know Where I’ve Been,” “Welcome to the Sixties” and “You Can’t Stop The Beat!”

BRYAN BATT (Edna Turnblad) is a native New Orleanian, actor, designer, fundraiser and civic activist. He has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards® for his portrayal of Salvatore Romano on AMC’s critically-acclaimed, dramatic series, Mad Men.

RYANN REDMOND (Tracy Turnblad) is making her Muny debut. Broadwayroles include If/Then, Bring It On: The Musical (Bridget); National Tour: Bring It On: The Musical (Bridget).

LIZ MIKEL (Motormouth Maybelle) is ecstatic to be returning to The Muny. She is known for portraying Corrina “Mama Smash” Williams on NBC Series Friday Night Lights. Her Off-Broadway and Broadway debuts as Heitaira in Lysistrata Jones received rave reviews.

For ticket information call (314) 361-1900 or visit muny.org.

 ‘My Fair Lady’ Opens Muny’s 97th Season

The storm clouds parted and the heavens smiled down on The Muny for the opening night of its 97th season and a brilliant production of My Fair Lady and the perfect show for the opening week.  The casting, costumes, chorus, and stage sets were just as perfect as the weather for this show.

Lerner and Loewe’s classic is the story of professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, finding a poor cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle on the streets of England and making a bet with his friend that he can turn her into a lady within six months.  Vocally gifted Alexandra Silber makes her Muny debut as Eliza and gives a strong performance as both the unpolished Eliza and Eliza the lady.  Her co-star, Anthony Andrews, who plays Henry Higgins, is an accomplished actor and Golden Globe-winner.  Together, Silber and Andrews beautifully recreate the My Fair Lady Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison brought to life on the silver screen many years ago.

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, My Fair Lady features a great score of songs, including “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?”, “On the Street Where You Live,” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.”  Supporting actors Michael McCormick, who plays Eliza’s father, and Zoe Vonder Haar, who plays Henry Higgins’ mother, are also crowd-pleasers.

There’s still time to see The Muny’s memorable production of My Fair Lady, which runs through Sunday, June 21.  It’s worth a standing “O.”         –Pat Lindsey

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