Big, Blonde, and Beautiful Hits the Boro!
For the Point Pleasant 2022 spring production, students performed the timeless musical, Hairpsray.
The musical, which debuted in 2002, features a young woman named Tracy Turnblad. It chronicles her path to fame during the 1960s. She auditions for a spot in the popular “Corny Collins Show” and wins. She soon becomes a celebrity, and uses her prominence to bring racial integration to the show. Tracy accomplishes this while also creating a more inclusive definition of beauty and finding love.
Point Boro performed the show every day from March 15th to the 20th. Tracy Turnblad was played by both Amy Scraggs and Lily Strassheim.
Lily adored playing the role of Tracy. “Being able to portray such a fun-loving and determined character was something really special and I aspire to be a lot like her.”
Amy also was thrilled to portray a character with so many layers. “Tracy Turnblad was able to teach me the power of friendship and love, all while showing me that within vulnerability is where you find pure joy and acceptance for not only others, but yourself.”
However, Tracy is not the only character in the show. Her mother, Edna (Luke Baker), starts the production as a self-conscious laundress who rarely leaves the house. Along the way, she finds her confidence while supporting Tracy throughout her entire journey. Another advocate of Tracy’s is her well-meaning, ditzy best friend, Penny (Tristan Grabis / Giovanna Florio).
Together, the pair of best friends simultaneously embark on journeys to find love. Tracy finds it in the star of the “Corny Collins Show” and teenage heartthrob, Link (Aidan Hulse). Meanwhile, Penny finds it in her smooth, talented classmate, Seaweed (Gavin Bailey).
Unfortunately, the 1960s was a time period full of racism. Tracy’s archenemy, Amber (Jordan Muraglia / Sofia Elliot), is the prettiest and most talented dancer on the “Corny Collins Show”. She ridicules Tracy for her size and mocks characters using racial slurs. This ideology was fostered by her manipulative mother, Velma (Gabby Greffen / Blair Mabie), the producer of the “Corny Collins Show”. Since Velma is in charge, she refuses to have the show become integrated.
However, these characters could not band together to overcome segregation alone. Tracy’s father, Wilbur (Sean Haugh), inspires Tracy to audition for the “Corny Collins Show” and loves Edna for who she is. Corny Collins (Vincent Rullo), takes a stand against Velma and hand-picks Tracy to dance on his show. And well-known record shop owner, Motormouth Maybelle (Adah Christian), is the glue that holds the movement against racism together.
In the end, Tracy successfully integrates the “Corny Collins Show” and gets her dream man. The musical encapsulates several different messages in just one production. But this magical performance could not have been accomplished without the Pit Band, who provided the foundation for all of the songs and transition periods. Not to mention the Stage Crew, who perfectly executed the movement and position of props for every scene, as well as taking care of the character’s soundpacks.
The 2022 spring musical is one that we will never forget. And remember, the world will always keep spinnin’ round and round.
I am currently a Senior at Point Boro HS and am involved in the marching band. I am also Band Council President and Public Relations of the Yearbook Club...
