May 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDITORIAL/INTERVIEW CONTACT: LISA WOSKE - 805/756-7110
TICKET SALES: 805/756-2787

Big Hair Means Big Fun at the PAC May 29-31

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA – The big hearted, big hair Broadway musical
comedy, “Hairspray,” is coming to the Cohan Center for three nights of full-on fun: Tuesday through Thursday, May 29-31, at 8 p.m. in Harman Hall.

“If life were everything it should be, it would be more like ‘Hairspray.’ ” -- The New York Times

“So many numbers bring down the house, it’s a wonder the theater is still standing.” -- New York Magazine

“A great big fat gorgeous hit.” -- New York Post The full-stage retro musical, based on the John Waters cult hit film by the same name, opened on Broadway in August 2002 to rave reviews,
winning eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Tour producers promise that San Luis Obispo will be swept away to 1960s Baltimore by this mega-hit, “piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance – and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party.”

“Hairspray” takes audiences back to to 1962 – the '50s are out and
change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big
hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion: to dance. She wins
a spot on the local TV dance program and is transformed from outsider to
irrepressible teen celebrity overnight.

But can a plus-sized trendsetter vanquish the program's reigning dance
princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a
television show without denting her lacquered flip 'do?

Audiences will want to note that a movie version of the Broadway musical
is coming out later this summer, starring John Travolta (as Tracy’s
mother!) and Arroyo Grande native Zac Efron (star of “Disney’s High
School Musical”) as Tracy’s love interest.

Original auteur Waters served as a creative consultant on this musical
comedy, which features book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, an
original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by
Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The touring production of “Hairspray” is based on Jack O’Brien’s
original direction and Jerry Mitchell’s original choreography.

Tickets for the performance are $56 - $68, with student discounts
available, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088.

Order on-line at www.pacslo.org.

Sponsored by Drs. Edwin and Janet Hayashi, Adrienne Fissel, KSBY TV, Days Inn of SLO, with additional support provided by KCBX 90.1 FM.

For audio and video samples of all Cal Poly Arts events, visit www.calpolyarts.org.

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