SAN ANTONIO — Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical “Hairspray” will make an appearance in the Alamo City early next week.
The musical comedy stops at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in the H-E-B Performance Hall on April 30 and May 1.
Tickets to Hairspray can be purchased online at tobincenter.org, via phone at 210-223-8624 or in-person at the Tobin Center Box Office.
The show follows 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960's Baltimore as she sets out on her dream to dance on television’s most popular show and change the world. But some people don't want the world to change and try to hinder Tracy's plans at every turn.
Caroline Portner who plays Amber Von Tussle, a villainous character in the musical, loves the dynamic personalities each cast member brings to the show.
“[There’s] High energy, amazing music, fantastic dancing but also a really important message that I still think rings true today about the importance of just learning to accept one another and spread love and peace. And recognize that at the end of the day we have to stand up for what is right," Portner said.
Portner loves to play the complex Amber and describes her character as "Lost, ambitious and a carbon-copy of her mother," but admitted it was hard to embrace Amber's character in the beginning, but eventually Portner was able to connect with the antagonist.
“She’s a product of her time and she’s a product of her mother. She doesn’t know that what she’s doing is wrong. She’s just doing whatever she’s been taught,” Portner said.
Guests can sing-along with the beloved score full of hit songs like “Welcome to the ‘60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”
This new production is led by director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
Portner said this production has changed aspects and scenes from the original musical to fit with the current world. She said major world events like the pandemic and the tense political climate changed the way the musical is now presented.
Portner enjoys many of the songs and dance numbers including “Run And Tell That” and “I Know Where I’ve Been,” but understands the significance of the finale when everyone joins together.
“It’s such a joyous celebration of just like everything the show stands for so how could you not want to get up and dance with them,” Portner said.
To purchase tickets to Hairspray in San Antonio, click here.
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