Production of 'Hairspray' makes stop at Southeast Missouri State University River Campus

A traveling production of the musical comedy "Hairspray" came to Cape Girardeau on Sunday, drawing hundreds to an afternoon performance in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus despite the stormy weather.

Forty-five minutes before the curtain opened, the audience began to collect in the common area outside the theater. Among those gathered was Theresa Elfrink, who bought tickets for the show the day they went on sale as Christmas gifts for the five friends attending with her.

"We want something to have a good time this afternoon!" she said.

Backstage, the cast and crew went about their duties for the afternoon's shows. The wardrobe department shuffled costumes through racks, lining them up to their specific needs. A pair of wigs floated down a back hall to their anticipated destination on cast members' heads. The set crew unwound various wiring, mopped up last-minute messes and swapped info on walkie-talkies.

"Hairspray," winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, is set in 1962 Baltimore when television dance-offs were in style, and segregation had been around for some time. In the show, Tracy Turnblad wins a spot on "The Corny Collins Show," looks to outshine the program's current dance champ, win over heartthrob Link Larkin, all while pushing the integration of the show's performers.

Ryan Cowles, filling the roles of assistant company manager and swing -- backup for different roles -- said NETworks Presentations LLC began rehearsals with cast members in mid-September. In a matter of two weeks, the cast connected with crew members in Fort Lauderdale, where the show was assembled and onstage performances were coordinated with backstage mechanics.

"The beauty of the show is that it is an upbeat, fun, silly performance with a simple message of tolerance. The show doesn't throw it in the audience's face; we just hope you are entertained along the way. From 1962 to 2009, it shows the juxtaposition of how far we've come," Cowles said.

Workers have to adjust to every venue they perform, and Cape Girardeau was no exception. The crew worked around the weather, unloading in the rain under tornado sirens.

The weather did not deter a strong attendance however: in a theater with a 904 holding capacity, 863 tickets were sold, with 822 in attendance.

Barb and Jim Morgan, season ticket holders were thrilled with the performance. "We really appreciate having the River Campus here. It has been long overdue for this area to have more offerings," they said.

Carolyn Kempf brought her son Levi after returning from seeing performances on Broadway the previous week. "It's a smaller stage, but the acting is excellent. Great talent," she said.

Gwen Seyer, attending with her daughter and friend, said the show was very comparable to the Fox and was "glad to see something like this in Cape."

"Hairspray" will continue on to three performances in Kansas and other areas of the U.S. before heading to Montreal in April and an Asian tour this summer.