Children rocked the stage with their outstanding performance of “Hairspray,” the Broadway musical, at the Malibu Playhouse over the weekend. Once Upon A Time Theatre directors Julia Holland and DeeDee Davidson-Porter spent weeks with the kids in their summer theater camp.
Once Upon A Time Theater, operating out of the Malibu Playhouse for the last 12 years, brings two full-length musicals a year to the Malibu community, each starring local Malibu youth.
“Hairspray” is about dance loving teen Tracy Turnblad who auditions for a spot on “The Corny Collins Show” and wins. Set in 1960s Baltimore, Turnblad becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun and fashion. She faces adversity with tenacity and determination, and follows her dream.
“This play has brought up so many deep issues and is so relevant to what is happening today,” Holland said in an email to The Malibu Times. “This is the true beauty of theater — being able to bring a hard subject like this to light in a comedic way. We have had many deep and meaningful discussions with the kids about racial intolerance and inequality.” The Malibu Times had the opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal and witness the hard work first hand.
Co-director Davidson-Porter added lyrics from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” to continue this teachable moment.
“This play touches on many important subjects … It takes a village to raise a child. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to be a small part of that village by having to take on these issues and encouraging these kids to be the best person they an be,” Holland shared. “We are in a wonderful position to choose to only teach about love.”
Once Upon A Time Theater’s next big musical will be “Aladdin,” with auditions to be held in the fall.
To find out more about
their program, contact
The Malibu Playhouse at malibuplayhouse.org.
