On Thursday, March 9, 2023, the Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School proudly debuted the Spring musical, Hairspray. The ambitious production chronicles a teenager’s journey from “hair hopper” to civil rights activist in 1960’s Baltimore. The ensemble cast is anchored by veteran senior high performers and a chorus of fresh-faced first-time actors.
Tenth grade student Jade Wolff stars as Tracy Turnblad, a vivacious teen with modern ideals and dance moves. Wolff welcomes the audience by belting out the opening anthem “Good morning, Baltimore” backed by the energetic vocals and choreography of the over 40-person ensemble.
With the support of her best friend Penny (Katherine Rogoyski) and her parents Edna and Wilbur (Cameron Carlson and Kendan Dressler), Tracy chases her dream of dancing on hit local TV program, The Corny Collins Show. Corny Collins (Joshua Tardy) and Tracy join forces along with the legendary Motormouth Maybelle (Sonya Catalino), her kids Seaweed J. Stubbs and Little Inez (Roman Smith and Genevieve Smith), and teen heartthrob Link Larkin (Sage Johnson) to defeat pro-segregation Station Manager Velma Von Tussle (Libby Piper) and her spotlight-hungry daughter, Amber (Alexandra Schuck).
The Byron-Bergen production capitalizes on the veteran theater chops of several senior performers. The hysterical team of Carlson and Dressler highlight each actor’s comedic timing while embodying the unconditional support from which Tracy catapults to stardom. Johnson’s resemblance to a young Elvis cannot be denied as he croons love songs and melts the audience’s collective heart. Piper provides the story with a classic villain complete with maniacal laugh and perfectly delivered eyebrow-raising one-liners. Schuck rounds out the evil mother-daughter duo with a fabulously frustrated flounce and pout as events turn on the Von Tussles. Tardy’s contagious energy captures the excitement of the 60s R&B revolution with sky-high enthusiasm to match his gravity-defying pompadour. Stage Manager Jason Bleiler uses his backstage experience to orchestrate the many scenery changes and transitions that keep this musical bopping along to the finale.
Not to be outshone by the senior actors, Rogoyski and Roman Smith each flex their theatrical muscles in their storybook romance plotline complete with complex choreography and vocals. Genevieve Smith also shows off her impressive vocal talents in her first major BB musical role. The many cast members who make up the dance council, Pinkies, Belles and Beaus, Dynamites, and chorus fill each scene with depth of harmony and meticulous choreography that can only be achieved by dedication and hard work and which delighted the audience from curtain to curtain.
While the BB drama program will miss the tremendously talented seniors after their final performance, the next generation of BB thespians are more than ready to step into the spotlight. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on the success of Hairspray.
Tickets are still available for Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Full cast and crew:
Tracy Turnblad Jade Wolff
Link Larkin Sage Johnson
Edna Turnblad Cameron Carlson
Corny Collins Joshua Tardy
Wilbur Turnblad Kendan Dressler
Velma Von Tussle Libby Piper
Amber Von Tussle Alexandra Schuck
Seaweed J. Stubbs Roman Smith
Penny Lou Pingleton Katherine Rogoyski
Motormouth Maybelle Mrs. Sonya Catalino
Little Inez Genevieve Smith
Prudy Pingelton Mrs. Kathryn Grattan
Mr. Pinky Bradley Pocock
Harriman F. Spritzer Mr. Ken Rogoyski
Matron Aurora Hiscutt
Council Members
Shelly Abby Cook
Lou Ann Gianna Graff
Tammy Aurora Hiscutt
Connie Madi Carson
Bonnie Olivia Galdun
Brenda Rylee Burch
Lenny Kendan Dressler
Brad Gabe Vallese
Fender Bradley Pocock
Sketch Teagan Williams
IQ Brody Bower
Honorary Council Members Izzy Lewis, Arianne McLaughlin, Brooklynn Culmo
The Dynamites
Kamilah Gianna Clark
Shayna Deborah Catalino
Jude Solomon Smith
Motormouth Maybelle’s Belles and Beau’s
Duane Malachi Smith
Thad Ce’Andre Johnson
Edith Lila Graff
Cordelia Samantha Copani
Lorraine Peyton Alejandro
Julie Taylor Louis
Ensemble
Protestors/City Folk Isabella Kessler, Contessa Vander Wyst, Katherine Erion, Evelyn Borycki
Gym Teacher Mrs. Heather Painting
Spritzer’s Assistant & Jail Guard Maylee Moore
Camera Person & Flasher Connor Hoopengardner
Principal Mr. Ashley Grillo
News Caster (voice over) Mr. Deacon Smith
Beatnik Chick Arianne McLaughlin
Cellmate Sally Isabella Kessler
Cellmate Sandra Evelyn Borycki
Guards Mr. Ken Gropp, Mr. David Bateman
The Pinky’s
Katherine Erion, Taylor Lewis, Brooklynn Culmo, Izzy Lewis, Katherine Erion
Production Crew
Alyson Mercedes Tardy Musical Director, Props
Joseph Paris Vocal Director
Solange Rodrigues Director of Choreographer
Michelle Caballero Producer, Costumes, Props
Heather Painting Costumes, Set Painting
Luke Farner Director of Hair & Makeup
Ken Rogoyski Assistant Producer, Props
Michelle Clare Program and Artwork Design
Abby Cook, Gianna Graff Dance Captains
Bob Puff Sound Engineer
Jason Bleiler Stage Manager
Miranda Stanton Student Production Assistants
Kaylanah White Student Production Assistants
Stage Crew
Jason Bleiler, Estelle Dumuhosky, Maryn Meier, Lia Ray, Nial Johnson, Michael Rogoyski, Hannah Wittman, Ella Lewis, Samantha Beale, Miranda Stanton
Pit Musicians
Kevin Bleiler Conductor
Lisa Gilebarto Rehearsal Accompanist/Keyboard 1
Kathy White Keyboard 2
Bob Lancia Keyboard 3/ Guitar
Heidi Lancia Woodwind 1
Jacob Burlingame Woodwind 2
Arnie Rychlicki Trumpet
Bob Wilkins Trombone
Steve Keenan Bass
Jacob Houseknecht Guitar
Quintin Rich Percussion 1
David Chapman Percussion 2
Set Construction & Painting
Joseph Paris, Aaron Burch, Roland Galdun, Heather Painting, Dave Snyder, Jackson Lundfelt, Ken Rogoyski, Katherine Rogoyski, Michael Rogoyski, Alex Schuck, Joshua Tardy, Alyson Tardy, Amanda Cook, Jeff Cook, Abby Cook, Miranda Stanton, Lia Ray, Katherine Erion, Sophia Smith, Arianne McLaughlin, Lindsey Williams, Teagan Williams, Danielle Carson, Madi Carson, Nathan Bower, Hunter Bower, Dayanara Caballero, Zoey Shepard, Aiden Vander Wyst, Contessa Vander Wyst, Nick Vander Wyst, Tiffany Hoopengardner, Madison Hoopengardner, Makala Hoopengardner, Cameron Carlson, Jade Wolff, Solange Rodrigues
Hair & Makeup Crew
Luke Farner, Shari Dressler, Erin Graff, Wendy Harmon, Pam Johnson, Stacy Stanton, Lindsey Frew Weaver, Athena Vander Wyst, Cheryl Wittman, Miranda Stanton, Kaylanah White, Connar Tuerk, Mariah Williams, Ellirose Taylor, Ava Williams, Kelly Parsons, Grayson Erion, Annie Erion, Samantha Grippo,
Olivia Mundell. La Hammond