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The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society presents Hairspray the Musical from May 28 to June 14, 2015 at the Harold Greenspon Auditorium.

This award-winning musical tackles the issue of racial segregation in the United States in the 1960s. It follows the story of the plucky and plump Tracy Turnblad as she pursues her dream of becoming one of the regular dancers on The Corny Collins Show. The obstacles to Tracy’s dreams help to open her eyes to the struggles of the black community, and her fight for herself turns into a crusade against segregation in 1960s America.

“Hairspray is not only great entertainment with wonderful music and dancing, but it promotes ideas of justice and anti-discrimination that the City of Côte Saint-Luc holds dear,” said Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, who is also producer of the show and acts in it. “I’m proud of this show and encourage everyone to see the show and even bring their kids.”

Tickets are available online on CSLDramaticSociety.com, at the Côte Saint-Luc Library or the Aquatic and Community Centre. General admission is $32, and students and seniors pay $28. Tickets are $25 for all preview and matinee shows.

“Hairspray is, at its heart, a musical about acceptance and having the courage to stand up for principles that are universal truths,” said artistic director Anisa Cameron. “Hairspray challenges us all to work towards the goal of unity in diversity. Whether it is the stories of cyber bullying that seem to permeate our media, or the struggles that continue for civil rights here in Canada and abroad, Hairspray is much more than a trip to the theatre for a fun night out. It’s a reminder to continue to stand up for what is right because you can’t stop the beat.”

The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society has reassembled their 2014 META (Montreal English Theatre Award) nominated artistic team to bring Hairspray the Musical to Montreal. This larger-than-life show is produced byMitchell Brownstein, directed by CSLDS Artistic Director Anisa Cameron, musically directed by David Terriaultand choreographed by Alexia Gourd. It will star a talented cast of 32 performers, including members of theMontreal Gospel Choir and the Jireh Choir.

“It took us two years to find the perfect cast for Hairspray, and it was worth the wait,” Cameron said. “The awe-inspiring talent that has joined us for Hairspray will render people speechless — I know it does for me, and that is just in rehearsal!”.

Returning to work with the CSLDS will be favorites from last year’s show, Catch Me If You Can, Mike Melino(playing Edna Turnblad), Mitchell Brownstein (playing Wilbur Turnblad), Megan Magisano (playing Amber Von Tussle), and Brandon Schwartz (playing Link Larkin). Joining the CSLDS for the first time will be Jireh Gospel Choir member Maddana Calix-Antoine (who will bring Motormouth Maybelle to vivid life on stage), Justin Johnson (as the charismatic and smooth-as-silk Seaweed J. Stubbs), the vocally voracious Alisha Ruiss (who will be the venomous Velma Von Tussle), Ryan Kligman (as the charming and campy Corny Collins), Jeanne Motulsky (as the perfect Penny Pingleton) and Amber Jonas (bringing an ebullient optimism that is a delight to experience in her turn as Tracy Turnblad to the Greenspon stage.).