Kids will put on 'Hairspray' at high school

Vernon — The Highland Stage will present the Broadway musical “Hairspray” at Vernon Township High School on Friday, July 29 and Aug. 5 at 8 p.m,, Saturday, July 30 and Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. This musical represents the company’s annual Summer Youth Theatre Project. In “Hairspray,” plus-sized 1960s teenager Tracy Turnblad dreams of being chosen to dance on a Baltimore television dance show, and when her dream comes true, she shakes up the establishment by insisting that the producers racially integrate the show. The cast of “Hairspray” includes: Melissa Niknam as Tracy Turnblad, Matt Ciuffitelli as Link Larkin, Vicki Ross as Penny Pingleton, Marty Novak as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Sara Melberger as Amber Von Tussle, Viktoria-Leigh Wagner as Velma Von Tussle, Katelyn Fuentes as Motormouth Maybelle, Nickeisha Nelson as Little Inez, Andrew Michelson and Nick Napolitano as Tracy’s parents Edna and Wilber Turnblad and John Powasnick as Corny Collins. Other featured roles are played by Amy Easton, Josh Ernst, Mike VanVliet ,Morgan Kriegel, Kristen Jones, Alex Gonzalez, Amber Blakovich, Lauren Ruggiero, Andrew Kraus, Mariajesus Valdes, Mike Easton, Amanda Losco, Nate Stillings, Amanda Stillings, Dylan VonderLinden and Morgan Zielgler. Rounding out the large cast of characters are Colleen Carney, Arianna Carver, Ariel Clouse, Jenna Day, Katie DeGroot, Noelle Dowd, Shea Dowd, Jessica Dunlap, Kaitlyn Gallaugher, Denise Galuzzo , Ashley Gitelman, Leila Gonzalez, Audrey Halatin, Blake Harrsch, Brooke Harrsch, Alexandra Helmer, Kristen Henry, Dylan Jardine, Isabella Jardine, Paige Kleiner, Blair Lanza, Megan Logue, Matthew Losco, Victoria Marchesani, Victoria Meneses, Emily Moreno, Stephanie Niknam, Elena Nita, Brianna O’Loughlin, Amber Revelant, Rachel Rome, Emily Ross, Juliette Ross, Kassidy Wagner, Marisa Walker, Riley Whelan, Krista White and Shaelyn Zimmerman The show is directed by Heather Burns, musical direction is by Faith Anderson and choreography is by Renee Ziegler. Haven Krynicky is the company stage manager. and Matt Mitra is the Lighting Designer. The show will be performed with a 25-piece orchestra conducted by Jon Hartlage. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with ID. On Thursday, Aug. 4 senior citizens pay $8. All tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information visit www.thehighlandstage.org or call 973-271-7853.