Sunday, June 22, 2025
When the curtain rises on Hairspray: The Broadway Musical at the historic Granbury Opera House, audiences had better buckle up. They’re in for a wild ride through 1962 Baltimore—a world of teased hair, teen dreams, dance crazes, and defiant hope wrapped in a Technicolor package of toe-tapping tunes.
Running from June 6 to July 6, Granbury Theatre Company’s summer production of Hairspray isn’t just big hair and bigger dance numbers—it’s a joyful, heartfelt, and sharply resonant musical about acceptance, resistance, and the power of community.
“It’s fun. It’s important. It’s a great time.”
That simple summary came from cast member Braedon Carlton (Seaweed J. Stubbs), and it’s spot-on. Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size teen with a heart (and hair) as big as her dreams. She wants to dance on The Corny Collins Show, win the guy, and integrate 1960s television—all while making the world a little more fair, a little more fun, and a lot more fabulous.
But as Director Bentleigh Nesbit points out, Hairspray is more than just a musical comedy. “Though Hairspray is set 60 years ago, the themes and struggles are still prevalent today,” she writes. “The world needs Tracy Turnblads as we continue to break down prejudice, systemic privilege, and barriers created by stereotypes.”
Dancing With Purpose
The cast of Hairspray is stacked with powerhouse performers who bring that purpose to life with every dance move and harmony. Two of them—Emily Marie Farmer and Paloma Magaña, who share the role of Penny, and Braedon Carlton as Seaweed—spoke on the GTC podcast Acting Up with GTC about how Hairspray hits deeper than just the glitz and glam.
Farmer, who plays Penny, shared how the show portrays interracial love in a way that’s both sweet and revolutionary. “Even in modern times, there are still people uncomfortable with that,” she said. “It would mean so much if an interracial couple saw this show and felt seen. Or maybe even changed someone’s mind.”
Magaña echoed that sentiment, adding, “Penny is so much more than just the comic relief. She’s quietly powerful. She loves hard, sees people for who they really are, and stands up for what’s right even when she doesn’t fully know how. That kind of love—gentle but brave—is what the world needs more of right now.”
Carlton explained Seaweed’s impact: “Seaweed really is a testament to how resilient Black men and Black art is. Because throughout all of it, he just keeps dancing.” That resilience, he said, mirrors the ongoing fight for justice and inclusion. “If we can keep dancing, even with people who once tried to oppress us, that’s something truly powerful.”
Camp With a Conscience
Hairspray isn’t afraid to be funny, flamboyant, and even campy. But behind the big laughs is a big heart—and some serious conversations.
“This is one of those shows where you can say things and deliver messages that you couldn’t just walk onto the street and say,” said Carlton. “But with music and dancing and a great story, you can reach people in a way they’ll actually hear.”
And oh, the music! Hairspray features a lineup of iconic showstoppers—“Good Morning Baltimore,” “Welcome to the 60s,” “Run and Tell That,” “I Know Where I’ve Been,” and of course, the exhilarating finale “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” The music is joyful, rebellious, and insanely catchy. Every song is its own mini explosion of joy and purpose, blending doo-wop, Motown, rock ‘n’ roll, and showtune sass into a soundtrack that pulses with energy and heart.
The Granbury production brings that energy to life with one of the most dynamic dance ensembles ever assembled at the Opera House. Under the fiery direction of choreographer Sydnie Roy, the cast delivers non-stop motion—twisting, flipping, grooving, and jiving through every inch of the stage. “Sydnie is making us work out there!” laughed Carlton. “It’s a workout, but she creates such a fun, encouraging space to learn and grow.” Whether it's the infectious group numbers or intimate partner dances, the choreography here is electric—and it makes every scene pop with rhythm and vitality.
A Full-Circle Moment for Many
For many cast and crew members, Hairspray is a personal experience. Assistant Director Javon Tcheco called it a "culmination of beautiful work,” highlighting the mix of new faces and familiar ones. Takara Bailey (Motormouth Maybelle) returns to the GTC stage with a powerhouse performance after a two-year hiatus, calling this production “a full-circle moment” that brought her back to where her theater journey began.
“Hairspray was the first show I ever did,” she shared. “To come back and do it now, with people I love and respect so much—it’s special.”
Nesbit, who first fell in love with the story as a teenager, sees herself in Tracy. “As a fellow plus-size young woman dreaming of making it big, it was the first time I felt like I saw myself reflected on the screen,” she writes. “Tracy refuses to accept the way of the world. She’s brave, positive, and fights for what’s right.”
Come See It. At Least Twice.
This production has been a dream years in the making. GTC has been requesting the rights to Hairspray since 2016, and 2024 was the year it finally happened. Now, with a dynamic cast, powerhouse creative team, and a story that sings with relevance, it’s shaping up to be one of GTC’s most powerful productions ever.
In the words of Nesbit: “Fight for what is right. Love big. Live boldly.”
Tickets are available at www.granburytheatrecompany.org or by calling the box office at 817-579-0952. The show runs from June 6 through July 6 at the historic Granbury Opera House.
Trust us: You can’t stop the beat. And you don’t want to miss it.
