The “nicest kids in town” may live in Baltimore per John Waters but in Atlanta, the nicest kids are at Grady High School and starring in a student/faculty musical production of Hairspray where they have proven to also be the most talented.
For months, students and teachers have been studying their lines, learning the choreography and working on costumes. The show’s director, Jake Dreiling, who also teaches technical theater and math, was gleaming with a permanent smile on opening night. Well deserved after so much hard work. Opening Thursday night to an audience of nearly 400 and ending with a standing ovation that lasted more than five minutes, Jake had plenty to be happy about.
English teacher, Deedee Abbott who plays Velma Von Tussle along with senior Glory Nix as her daughter (Amber) are hysterical in their racist roles. At the end, of course, they get what they have coming to them in a karmic journey that is certainly amusing.
One of the factors that make the production so interesting and challenging at the same time is that Dreiling blind-casted the musical, so you have caucasians in african american roles and vice versa. Such is the case with the Von Tussles. (more…)
