When Marian Catholic High School stages the musical “Hairspray” this weekend it will be senior Steven Babick’s final performance. Steven, of Homewood, will be joined on stage by sophomore Fiona Keating and freshman Taylor Trojan, both of Flossmoor, for the 7 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22.
April 20, 21 and 22 production of “Hairspray” are, seated
from left Morgan Holliday of Flossmoor, Steven Babick
of Homewood and Fiona Keating of Flossmoor and,
standing from left, Patrick Cavarretta of Flossmoor,
Elijah Long of Homewood, Taylor Trojan of Flossmoor
and Carrington Johnson of Flossmoor. (Photo by
Mary Compton)
When Marian Catholic High School stages the musical “Hairspray” this weekend it will be senior Steven Babick’s final performance.
Steven, of Homewood, will be joined on stage by sophomore Fiona Keating and freshman Taylor Trojan, both of Flossmoor, for the 7 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22.
“Hairspray” is set around “The Corny Collins Show,” a local teen dance television show in Baltimore. African-American kids are only allowed on the show once a month, but when even that is canceled, a group of teens, led by Tracy Turnblad and her friend Penny Pingleton, sets out to break the race barrier for good.
Sam Sullivan of Homewood, Marian Catholic’s engineering teacher who is producing the show, said the musical, which he calls ”an important story,” was selected in summer 2017. He is working with Tiffany Albers-Lopez, director; Claire Jakubisin, choral director; and Gregg Bimm, director of bands.
“The kids enjoy being able to tell this kind of story. When you have a diverse community of students come together seeing the pain, seeing the triumph, it’s really wonderful,” Sullivan said.
The cast and crew also includes Patrick Cavarretta, Morgan Holliday and Carrington Johnson, all of Flossmoor, and Elijah Long of Homewood.
Steven plays Corny Collins. “Hairspray” is his fifth production at Marian.
“This is much more dance heavy and technically draining. I enjoy the dance scenes. They’re my favorite part,” he said. “This is jumping around on stage and doing cartwheels. They are fun, but hard to learn at first. It feels redeeming to complete the dance.”
Fiona takes on an important role portraying Penny Pingleton.
“I can relate to my character,” Fiona said. “She has a lot of ditzy moments and she kind of says the first thing that comes to her mind, which is like me. I like that about her.” She said it’s a great role to step in to after doing school plays at Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor.
Taylor, who stars as Shelly, said she was excited when she saw last year’s musical and working on a Marian production was a goal for her.
“Just seeing everything, the music, the lines and the acting all come together,” Taylor said, “and getting that pat on the back” for a job well done has left her with “a great feeling.”
Patrick, a sophomore, is the assistant stage manager who has been coordinating everything that goes on stage, from the scenery to the accessories. He appreciates that he’s been given this responsibility as a sophomore.
“I want to gain more experience and see what I can learn. (The position) has taught me responsibility and the technical aspects of being the assistant stage manager,” he said.
Marian Catholic High School is at 700 Ashland Ave. in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $5 for students, $9 for senior citizens and $10 for adults.