LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre’s new production in Lancaster County tells the classic story of a humble girl in the 1960s with big hair and a bigger heart, who wins a spot on a tv dance program.
During the theatre’s production of ‘Hairspray’, 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad pursues her dream to dance on a popular TV show while advocating for racial integration in a polarizing time.
Amanda Domb plays Turnblad in the musical. She says hairspray is used within the production to help its characters overcome society’s cookie-cutter expectations, which is something that Domb says she’s trying to break free from.
“One thing I love about Tracy is that she’s big, she’s larger than life, and she still dances her big booty off. And I just think like if I saw this growing up, I would be like ‘Ok, she can do it, I can do it,” said Domb.
She says 'Hairspray' is about, “embracing the bigness,” which is something the cast had to do quickly with under three weeks of rehearsal time.
The actor who plays Tracy’s mom in the show says it’s nerve-wracking.
“It’s about being obsessed with the show because for these two weeks, all you can think about is the show, and this character, and the other characters in the show around you,” said Brian Kalinowski.
He says the cast is working hard to put on a show with a feel-good and powerful takeaway.
“I hope that they walk away dancing and singing but I also hope that it holds a mirror to what’s going on in the world today. And that people kind of think twice about excluding people and not giving people a chance,” said Kalinowski.
Performances of "Hairspray" at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre start tomorrow and run through Nov. 2. To purchase tickets, click here.