Tag: Hairspray

Summer Movie Nights at Woodlawn Theatre

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Dreamgirls is the next movie showing at the Woodlawn Theatre as part of their Summer Movie Nights series. Photo: google

This year, the Woodlawn Theatre is celebrating 75 years of entertaining San Antonio and are turning back the clock with Summer Movie Nights.  For five Fridays, the Woodlawn is revisiting the days as a grand movie theater and showcasing some of their favorite musical feature films on their indoor big screen. Proceeds will benefit Woodlawn Theatre and Woodlawn Theatre Academy. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased in advance, online, prior to each film. There will be no in-person ticket sales at the box office leading up to or at any time prior to showtime.  Seating begins at 6p.m. and the movie starts at 7p.m.  (Woodlawn Theatre 2020)

To comply with the state’s COVID-19 measures, Woodlawn Theatre will not exceed 50% capacity for each Summer Movie night. All tickets are general admission and guests must print ticket at home in advance and bring it with them or have it ready for viewing via a smartphone upon entering. Everyone over the age of two must wear a mask. More COVID-19 protocols are available online. 

The series started last Friday with Chicago and continues with:

June 26 –  Dreamgirls (2006)

July 3 – Hairspray (2007)

July 10 – Evita (1996)

July 17 – Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Theater review: ‘Hairspray’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

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Kass Ortiz as Tracy Turnblad in The Playhouse San Antonio’s production of ‘Hairspray.’  Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

One of Broadway’s most popular musicals, ‘Hairspray,’ opened at The Playhouse San Antonio last weekend.  This musical is based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name and tells the story of Tracy Turnblad whose innocent desire to dance on a television show ends up shaking up her hometown of Baltimore. It runs until Sunday August 6 with show times on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m.  Tickets are available online and prices range from $12 for children to $42 for general adult admission.

‘Hairspray’ begins with “Good Morning Baltimore” where the audience is introduced to the perky Tracy Turnblad whose world revolves around watching The Corny Collins show. While watching the show one afternoon she finds out that there will be auditions to replace one of the ‘council members’ who is taking a leave of absence due to a pregnancy.  She eagerly goes to audition only to be rudely turned away, “Miss Baltimore Crabs.” While there she bumps into teenage heartthrob Link Larkin and that leads to a romantic dream sequence, “I Can Hear the Bells.” She ends up gaining a spot on the show and with the help of friends and family manages to get The Corny Collins Show fully integrated.

The stage version of ‘Hairspray’ is slightly different than the movie, which most people are familiar with, but it is still a joy to experience. With its infectious songs, energetic dancing and vital social commentaries it is easy to see why it so popular with theater audiences as evident by a sold out opening weekend. Show highlights include “Big Blonde and Beautiful,” a song about being proud of how you look despite what people think and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” when Tracy emerges from the back of the theatre to crash the competition at the end. Danielle King, who plays Motormouth Maybelle, gives a poignant rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” that reminds audiences of the serious side of the show. Amid singing and dancing, ‘Hairspray’ tackles such topics as racism, segregation and finding love despite weight and color differences. The colorful staging and vibrant costumes bring this show to life. Top-notch choreography and a talented cast who work well together makes this a must-see show.

‘Hairspray’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

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Kass Ortiz stars as Tracy Turnblad in The Playhouse San Antonio’s production of ‘Hairspray’ opening this week.  Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

Opening at The Playhouse San Antonio this week is the local production of the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Hairspray.’ This wildly popular musical opens on Friday July 7 and will run until Sunday August 6 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater. It is the story of Tracy Turnblad, whose innocent desire to dance on a television show ends up shaking up her hometown of Baltimore. The book was written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music is by Mark Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Mark Shaiman. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $42 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘Hairspray’ is set in 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a plus size teenager with a passion for singing and dancing, dreams of her chance to dance on the local dance television show. When she finally wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show, she becomes an overnight celebrity and meets a wide variety of characters. They band together to challenge the status quo which leads to social change when they campaign for the show’s integration. Amid singing and dancing, ‘Hairspray’ tackles such topics as racism, segregation and finding love despite weight and color differences. Omar Leos is the director and it stars Kass Ortiz as Tracy Turnblad, David Nanny as Edna Turnblad, Brendan Brady as Corny Collins, Emily Cleveland as Penny Pingleton and Cade Thomas as Link Larkin.

The Playhouse San Antonio
Russell Hill Rogers Theater
800 W Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-725