IT’S 1962 in Baltimore and big-hearted, bubbly teenager Tracy Turnblad is riding the winds of change.

She won’t let her looks stand in the way of landing a coveted spot on the local TV station’s hit youth music show.

And she’s determined the all-singing, all-dancing and most notably all-white stars of the show will give equal status to the show’s equally-talented black performers.

She is equally determined that the handsome young hero of the Corny Collins Show, big-smiling Link Larkin, will do the unthinkable and fall in love with her.

That’s the premise of Hairspray, the international hit musical that comes to town this month, courtesy of Keighley Musical Theatre Company.

KMTC spokesman David Brett said: “Hairspray is a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.

“It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire — to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show.

“When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star.

“She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do!

“In her quest for stardom Tracy confronts issues of racial integration and the plight of other students who are marginalised by society.

“Despite these important themes the show is all fun, high-energy entertainment that will be enjoyed by all age groups.”

David said the group had lined up a talented cast for its audiences, including both favourites and brilliant new-to-KMTC performers.

The production is notable for having two actresses sharing the lead role of Tracy Turnblad.

David said: “We had a large number of auditionees overall and the role of Tracy turned out to be particular popular.

“Two candidates did stand out though, and the panel found it impossible to decide so after many hours of auditions the decision was made to share the role, three performances each!

“So the two successful Tracys, Vickie Hawkins and Leah Ogrizovic-Kerr will play the role at alternate performances.

“Our own Leah Ogrizovic-Kerr plays Tracy on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday matinee, and Vickie Hawkins, who is new to our society, performs on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening.

David said: “KMTC regulars include Jonny Tate (Edna), Peter Whitley (Wilbur), Reece Raymond (Seaweed), Mark Hutchinson (Corny Collins), Joshua Breeze (Link), Dean Harness (Pinky/Principal/Spritzer), Emily Moses (Little Inez), Phoenix Hillier (Velma), Sarah Chapman (Amber) and many more.

“We also welcome a host of talented actors, all experienced, but their first time with KMTC, including Josi Flavius-Warner (Motormouth), Ellen O’Keeffe (Penny), Sarah Whistlecraft (Prudy) and Hannah Williams (Matron/Gym Teacher).”

Jamesine Cundell-Walker returns to KMTC to direct Hairspray, completing a production team also comprising regular choreographer Judith Chapman and musical director John Sandland, who will lead a full orchestra.

David added: “We can promise you an entertaining (perhaps hair-raising) night out at the theatre!”

Jamesine said: “Welcome to Baltimore, 1962. Our heroine, Tracy Turnblad, is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart. She is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV.

“But what does she face? Discrimination. And she’s not the only one! All sorts of minorities were being side-lined in Baltimore in 1962. If you didn’t conform to the slim, white all-American image, there was no place for you on commercial TV.

“Tracy and friends set out to change that singing wonderful songs along the way. What a great evening of entertainment.”

Jamesine said Hairspray was based on the 1988 film of the same name, opening to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently winning eight Tony Awards.

The London production opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

Jamesine said: “Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has toured the world. Its message of optimism and equality has proved irresistible and many of the songs stand alone and have become standards.

“I am delighted to be back at Keighley to direct Hairspray. I have missed the very special and distinctive character of the Keighley Musical Theatre cast and crew.

“Unlike other groups in the area, there is a strong loyalty here and a culture of nurturing young people to become part of the adult cast. It is also a joy to again be working with the very talented John and Judith as musical director and choreographer.”

Hairspray the musical is based on a 1988 American dance-comedy film written and directed by John Waters, and starring Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry and Sonny Bono.

The movie was a dramatic departure from Waters’s earlier works, aimed at a broader audience and attracting a mild PG rating.

He wrote the screenplay under the title of White Lipstick, with the story loosely based on real events.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the film revolved around self-proclaimed “pleasantly plump” teenager Tracy Turnblad as she pursued stardom as a dancer on a local TV show and rallied against racial segregation.

Hairspray was only a moderate success upon its initial theatrical release, earning a modest gross of $8 million, but attracted a larger audience on home video in the early 1990s and became a cult classic.

The musical adaptation of 2002 won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2003, and was itself adapted into a film musical by New Line Cinema in 2007.

* Hairspray will be at Victoria Hall, Keighley, from October 16 to 20 at 7.15pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Visit www.keighleymtc.com to book tickets.