She’s not popular, not rich and not what at you would expect to see on television, especially dancing.

Photograph by Stephanie Coren


The cast of Hairspray performs on the CFA stage led by Tracy Turnblad who was played by Danielle Arci. Over 600 attended the show.

The story of Tracy Turnblad took the audience back to Baltimore in 1962, a time when segregation was still acceptable and looks meant everything. The popular Broadway musical Hairspray was brought to the Center for the Arts’ stage on March 7.

The company, NETworks Presentation, is a theatrical production company that manages the touring group. They are currently the only major company in the country performing Hairspray. They are from New York and perform different places in the country.

The cast was led by Danielle Arci, playing the role of Tracy Tunrblad, a dream that she had always had. The show was about Tracy Turnblad, a plump high school girl with a big dream of dancing on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” She falls in love with Link, who was played by Ryan Rubek, and overcomes the obstacles of society to become a famous dancer and integrate the “Corny Colins Show.”

John Hassig, director of performing arts said the show was a lot to put together, with 73 people helping out backstage. He has brought in other shows done by NETworks Production and has always been excited about their performances. Hassig said they are hands down the best company touring.

“There was no doubt in my mind it was going to be good,” Hassig said. “It looked good, sounded good and was overall a great show.”

Students that attended the show also showed their positive responses to Hairspray.

“The casting, lighting, effects… everything was just amazing,” Josh Stewart, a senior English, theater and teaching major said. “The show was beautiful.”

Christina Beisel, a sophomore math major said she saw the movie and was excited to hear the Broadway show would be at UW-Platteville. Beisel and Stewart said they both enjoyed the show.

Hassig is working to bring another popular Broadway musical show from the same company to UW-P next year.