Please welcome the cast of our summer production “HAIRSPRAY, the Broadway Musical”! Licensed by MTI and sponsored by Murphy USA, this energetic and uplifting show is a perfect way to celebrate community, diversity, and the power of music. Mark your calendars for July 10-13 and July 17-20, 2025 with an opening night champaign toast in the lobby before the show.
Welcome to the 60s – where big hair and big dreams take center stage. The story follows Tracy Turnblad (Samantha McCaleb), a spirited teenager who dreams of dancing on the popular Corny Collins Show, and her best friend Penny (Alyssa Purifoy). Together, they challenge societal norms and advocate for acceptance amid the societal challenges of the era.
The cast features a diverse array of characters, including Corny Collins (Joey Karr), Link Larkin (Matthew Power), Amber Von Tussle (April Burk), Tammy (Madeline Couture), Kim (Emilia Gathright), Megan (Maggie Phillips), Brenda (Summer Shipp), Sketch (Georgia Blackmon), Shelley (Lillian Primm), IQ (Zoe Pyle), and Lou Ann (Avery Hall). Show producer Velma Von Tussle (Christine Whan), along with her daughter Amber, has big plans for the show but struggles with her own biases. The production also features the dynamic duo of Edna (Hayden Nooner) and Wilbur Turnblad (Spencer Driggs), whose relationship is tested as Tracy strives to make her mark.
A central theme of the musical is the fight for racial integration and acceptance. Tracy befriends Seaweed (Zephaniah Valentine) and his friends Gilbert (Dustin Adams), Cindy Watkins (Meyah Hampton), Lorraine (Jaden Owens), Stooie (Khaylin Sanders), and Duane (Ellis Lyles), who participate in an integration celebration on the show. Their efforts to integrate the Corny Collins Show highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion. Supporting characters include Motormouth Maybelle (Veronica Jenkins), her daughter Little Inez (Lauren Smith), and the Dynamites—Judine (Rion Kialoni Jones), Kamilah (Kiera Dixon), and Shayna (Demyah Charles)—who contribute soulful performances to the production.
Additional cast members include Harriman F. Spritzer (Brian Bates), who sponsors the show with his hairspray; Mr. Pinky (Michael McLeese), a fashion designer eager to dress Tracy and Edna; Prudy Pingleton (Sara Dockery), Penny’s protective mother; and Austin Crank as the principal who often detains Tracy for her big hair. Jazpyn Vanassche portrays the Prison Matron, while Tonaisha Johnson plays Beatnik Chick. The ensemble, comprised of Ianna Hernandez, Melissa Cervantez, and Bebee Meza, brings energy and vibrancy to every scene, making this toe-tapping, society-changing musical a memorable experience.This production celebrates individuality, societal change, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. With lively musical numbers and heartfelt storytelling, it promises to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.
Directed by El Dorado natives Hannah Faith Davis with Assistant Director Kailey Gardner, and Choreographer Georgia Blackmon, this show is not one to miss, and is a great way to spend an evening this summer. Visit SAAC’s online box-office to immerses yourself in the lively and colorful world of HAIRSPRAY. Tickets are $25, $15, and $10 with reserved seating.
Join us this summer for a musical experience that’s not to be missed—an uplifting celebration of diversity and the human spirit. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.
Back Row L-R – Bebee Meza, Summer Shipp, Emilia Gathright, Avery Hall, Abby Sipes, Brian Bates
3rd Row L-R – Khaylin Sanders, Ianna Hernandez, Lillian Primm, Tonaisha Johnson, April Burk, Christine Whan, Jaden Owens, Rion Kialoni Jones, Melissa Finn Cervantes
2nd Row L-R – Joey Karr, Alyssa Purifoy, Zephaniah Valentine, Matthew Power, Samantha McCaleb, Hayden Nooner, Spencer Driggs, Veronica Jenkins
Front Row L-R – Lauren Smith, Austin Crank, Ellis Lyles, Maggie Phillips, Kiera Dixon, Sara Dockery, Michael McLeese, Demyah Charles
Not Pictured – Dustin Adams, Madeline Couture, Georgia Blackmon, Meyah Hampton, Jazpyn Vanasshe, Zoe Pyle