produce the show starting May 1. (Provided photo)
Oh, the many lives of hairspray.
If the original 1960s Rayette Aqua Net hairspray could still be found on drugstore shelves, it’s a pretty certain bet the mid-century aerosol once again would find glory.
In 2002, decades after the Rayette era, a plus-size teen girl, topped by an adorable though exaggerated Rayette-style flip hairdo, took Broadway by storm in the blockbuster musical, “Hairspray.”
On May 1, under the direction of Charlie Misovye, the legendary Drama Group brings Tracy and the 2002 multi-Tony Award Broadway blockbuster, “Hairspray,” to life on the Bloom Auditorium Theatre for three weekend performances.
Of course, the story does not end there.
Misovye had long dreamed of directing the gargantuan musical, “Hairspray.”
In 2014, the multi-talented thespian was tapped to direct and choreograph the Drama Group’s enormous (think dozens of artists) 2015 spring musical — “Hairspray,” of course.
It’s as if the stars brought the fictional Tracy Turnblad (Chicago’s Gina Guarino in the Drama Group show) and real-life Misovye together on stage — along with dozens of musical theater artists from throughout the city and South Suburbs including Homewood, Flossmoor, Matteson, Olympia Fields and New Lenox.
While it seems like light entertainment on the surface, “Hairspray” tackles tough issues of race relations and overall acceptance.
“I really love this show,” Misovye said. “Tracy is lovable and determined, kind-hearted and innocent” and faces challenges that go beyond her newfound ability to really rock, Misovye said.
With the book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and musical numbers by Marc Sherman and Scott Wittman, the entire show transcends era and ethnicity.
The fictional teen with the huge hairdo onstage also harbors one very king-sized dream.
Though the exact opposite of the typical lithe Barbie Doll girls on the fictional “Corny Collins Show,” Tracy nevertheless wants a spot on the oh-so-popular mid-20th century after school TV dance program.
Tracy’s dream of winning a slot on Corny’s show appears doomed until the teen winds up in detention with some of her African-American classmates who teach her the moves and grooves that could make her a standout in competition.
“She doesn’t understand why everyone can’t dance together,” Misovye continues. “She not only discovers her physical talent, but reveals the heart of a young woman who wants to see change — across the board.”
With several huge production numbers to choreograph and direct, including “Welcome to the 60s” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Misovye indeed has not stopped moving since directing began earlier this year.
“Mounting a production of this magnitude is not easy,” he said. “I’ve been directing and choreographing professionally and for the (community-based) Drama Group for years and could not do this without a nonstop and dedicated cast and crew.
“It’s very rewarding to watch the progress of each person involved, and after more than 10 non-stop weeks of rehearsals, it is all coming together and is going to be a smash hit — right here in Chicago Heights.”
Clearly, Misovye wants all to thoroughly and absolutely love the show. But more than that, he said, “I would like the audiences to learn from the journey of all the characters. I’d like them to think about how they can bring about changes in their lives and be more accepting of all people.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m., May 1 and 2; and 2 p.m. May 3.
Tickets can be ordered by calling 708- 755-3444; the price is $21 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students with a school ID. Any open seats will be sold at the Bloom High School box office, 10th Street and Chicago Road.