Lethbridge Musical Theatre is digging into a few deeper social issues in their production of the musical Hairspray, which runs at the 
Yates Theatre, Nov. 9-24.
Inspired by the 1988 movie of the same name, Hairspray examines the themes of discrimination and prejudice, revolving around the adventures of Tracy Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenager whose ambition it is to sing on the Corny Collins show — a ’60s variety show similar to American Bandstand. She notices the black teens aren’t allowed to dance with the white kids.
Katie Fellger, who plays Tracy Turnblad observed the black kids face similar challenges to her character — a plump teen discriminated against because of her weight.
“She doesn’t understand because she wasn’t raised to think like that,” outlined the Grade 12 Winston Churchill high school student.
“ She gets with the black kids and ends up organizing a protest on the Corny Collins show to try to get equality for the black and white kids,” she continued.
“It has a really nice message,” she added.
“It brings people together because they are really similar so there doesn’t need to be hatred,” she said.
Fellger is one of the many newcomers to Lethbridge Musical Theatre. She is enjoying her experience with the long running community theatre organization.
“I love it. it’s so much fun,” she continued.
“ Everybody is really, really nice and they get along,” she enthused. She noted her friend, knowing what a big fan she was of the movie, convinced her to audition with her.
“The musical is quite a bit different than the movie,” she observed adding the movie is more streamlined.
Fellger has found the role of Tracy Turnblad to be challenging.
“It’s a big role so I’ve had to keep up with my sleep and my school work,” she said adding learning the dance moves was a little difficult, though she is learning quickly. She is looking forward to seeing the audience react to the jokes.
Director Deonie Jensen was originally stage manager for the production but took over from the previous director who had to step down for personal reasons.
“It‘s a really fun show,” said Jensen.
“I’m excited to do something a little different that hasn’t been done in Lethbridge,” she continued.
The biggest challenge was finding the 40-some member multi-racial cast to participate in the production, though once they were in place, things have gone smoothly.
“In particular finding Seaweed,” she said adding University of Lethbridge student Alinafe Lupwayi ended up being a perfect fit.
“ This is probably the hardest working cast I’ve ever worked with. A lot of them are with us to the first time. They are a young cast a lot of them are high school and university students,” she observed.
“Some of them are actually even going and booking their own spaces to rehearse. So it’s been a real pleasure to work with such an enthusiastic cast,” she enthused.
There are also also some familiar faces, like Mark Campbell, who wasn’t previously able to take large onstage roles due to early morning radio commitments.
“ It’s the character Christopher Walken played. He’s a quirky guy,” said Mark Campbell who didn’t draw anything from Walken’s portrayal of the character Wilbur Turnblad.
“There’s no cowbell in this one,” he joked, referencing the popular Saturday Night Live sketch Walken made an impression in.
Campbell has been a member of Lethbridge Musical Theatre since about 1975, but had to forgo on-stage roles due to early morning radio commitments and the hefty time demands of the productions.
“ I have a fondness for the process and I have a little more time now the radio thing left me. No more getting up at 4:15 a.m.,” he said.
He is glad to be back on stage to take on the role of Tracy’s dad Wilbur Turnblad. Among other things he is enjoying working with Darrell Croft, who plays Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mother.
“ I have more time now and it’s an intriguing role. I get to do a fun song with Darrell who plays Tracy’s mom,” he said.
“I’m just excited to explore it,” he said he is looking forward to appearing in front of an audience.
“I’m excited to see if they find the things humourous that we find humourous,” he said.
Local singer Janni Jelley was glad to find a role for “a mature black woman,” so jumped at the chance to get involved. She is excited to be on stage as Motormouth Mabel, and as one of the black members of the cast, is also enjoying the musical’s message.
“It fees great it will make people think,” she said, adding it gives her a better perspective of what her parents went through in the 1960s.
“ I was born in the ’60s, so I really didn’t understand it. It ( the production) made me realize how hard it was for black people then. Thank goodness things have changed,” she said.
On a more basic level, Jelley is excited to try out her American accent, as she has to cover up her British accent. She is enjoying her character of Motormouth, the DJ on the Corny Collins show, who among other things has organized a negro day on the show which makes the kids respect her.
“She’s feisty. She’s a fun person, but she doesn’t take rubbish from anyone,” Jelley related.
“She’s a got two teenagers— a boy and a girl,” who teach her that it doesn’t matter if you are black and white,” Jelley continued.
“ It’s a very fun show. It does take a look at some serious issues with the mixed cast, but it is presented in a lighthearted manner,” director Deonie Jensen described.
“ Because the lead character is a bigger girl who faces discrimination of her own trying to sing on television.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing it all come together (on opening night) and seeing everyone’s hard work,” Jensen said.
The show runs at 8 p.m. every night from Nov. 9-24, with a special Nov. 11 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $24 (plus the two dollar ticket centre fee) for adults and $22 for seniors.
