“Hairspray” has been rocking the Baton Rouge Little Theater stage all month with audience-rousing production numbers and a cast featuring multiple LSU students.
Leading the pack is 2011 alumna Shelley Regner, who frequented the LSU stage as a student. Since then she has thrived, coming within five votes of landing an audition for “RENT” on Broadway in an online talent competition. The aspiring actress also recently won the Baton Rouge Little Theater’s best supporting actress award for her turn as Maureen in “RENT” in the 2010-2011 season.
Although she still has big dreams of New York, for now Regner is relishing her “Hairspay” experience. She takes the stage as the malicious queen bee Amber von Tussle.
“It’s been so much fun, and everyone is just so talented,” Regner said of the cast, which also includes theater performance senior Chase Bouchie, biology junior Maggie Joyner, marketing senior Lance Bordelon and vocal music education sophomore Adam Gilbert.
The cast of 35 has been delivering energetic performances since July 8, rising to the challenge of an ambitious, high-energy production. “Every number is a showstopper,” Regner said. “There is not a dull moment.”
The dedication and enthusiasm of the cast and crew is infectious. “Every night, people have been on their feet,” she said. “It’s very involving. It’s a party.”
According to Regner, every performance has seen younger audience members dancing in the aisles and adults singing along.
The cast and crew were challenged to portray the play’s civil rights themes. The cast collaborated with Baton Rouge’s New Venture Theatre to diversify the production.
“Everyone who’s come in is has been amazing,” Regner said. “There’s just so much local talent.”
Between fresh faces on the stage, energetic choreography, seasoned performers and creative direction, “Hairspray” offers some of the best of local theater.
The production will continue wooing audiences until July 31.
For more information on “Hairspray,” visit brlt.org.
 
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Contact Kaci Yoder at [email protected]