Home in the Heights: HITS heads to Hermann to perform Hairspray

For the 25th consecutive year, the Heights' own HITS Theatre will present its spring production at Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theatre, this time staging the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hairspray over the next two weekends.

HITS, 311 West 18th, is a musical theater education organization that regularly grows and develops some of the best young performers in Houston. Over 800 students annually come through their doors. And if you think that what we're talking about here is a kids performance, think again. HITS productions are well-known for their professionalism and quality, and the students regularly feature in some of the top arts schools in the greater Houston area. They are the real deal.

And if you don't believe that, head over to Miller Outdoor at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and again April 14-16. You can't beat the price (Free!) and if the weather behaves as predicted, you'll see a top-notch show.

Hairspray is based on both the 2007 and 1988 John Waters films of the same name and tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, who becomes a national celebrity after winning a role on a televised teenage dance program. HITS students Hattie Marks, who plays Tracy, and Austin Arizpe, who plays Link, lead a cast of 45 teens and seven adult actors led by HITS executive artistic director JoAnne Woodard, who directs the show. The adult cast includes Marion Arthur Kirby, who plays Tracy's mother Edna, and Marc Shellum, who plays Tracy's father Wilbur. This will be Shellum's 18th appearance in a HITS production at Miller.

Free tickets are available the day of the show at the Miller box office. For more about HITS, visit www.hitstheatre.org or call 713-861-7408.

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