Newburgh Free Academy welcomes one and all to dazzle and marvel in their spring production of Hairspray from Friday, March 15 to Saturday, March 16.

The story of Hairspray takes place in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland where overweight dance-loving teenager Tracy Turnbald decides to audition for a spot on the famous “The Corny Collins Show ‘’ and wins. Through this story, it follows Tracy navigating her newfound fame, standing against the influential Von Tussle mother-daughter duo and bringing racial integration into the widely viewed show.

The story of Hairspray has been told through two films released in 1988 and 2007, appearances on Broadway and other theater productions and a live special that aired in 2016.

Despite a rainy afternoon, cast and crew donned their costumes and wardrobe, sets were prepared and electronic inner workings were run as Hairspray ran through rehearsal.

Director Mandy Clifford felt pride in the cast for the upcoming production. Hairspray would be Clifford’s 28th production as a musical director at Newburgh Free Academy.

“I feel a lot of pride in this cast and crew. I’m there for every step of the way and pushing and pushing and pushing them until they are ready to fly on their own and as soon as that happens, then they take the lead,” said Clifford. “When they [the community] come here and they see the set and the costume, they hear the orchestra, they see the students on stage, they’re gonna be like, Wow, those are high school kids and they’re doing something spectacular.”

Clifford also shared words to her cast, her graduating seniors ahead of opening weekend. “Knowing where they started and where they go by the time they’re seniors and then where they go after that and the fact that I get to be a little part of that journey, it’s really great,” said Clifford.

For several of the leads and actors in the show, this will be their final Newburgh production before making their way to graduation. For other members of the cast, this is goodbye to their friends and senior classmates. There were very few dry eyes in the room.

“I’ve made so many connections during this musical that I didn’t know I’d make and I’m so thankful for but I’m really happy to see hard work pay off for myself and for the whole cast, for every single person,” said Grace Musante.

“The times that we’ve spent together and all of the experiences we’ve made is absolutely all I can ask for being here,” said Tyson Hill. “It’s [the show] gonna be spectacular.”

When the play was announced last year, it was a positive reaction for some who were fans of the musical and several of the cast members had the opportunity to try new roles and step out of their comfort zones.

“I was absolutely just ecstatic when I first heard about Hairspray because I was ensemble in Bring It On last year so I absolutely just love the dancing and the singing and theater and then when I found out that I got Motormouth, I stopped the entire classroom, actually and I started screaming at the top of my lungs,” said Nyvia Bell.

“My brother James was in Hairspray too in the production and it was one of the first musicals I’ve ever seen in my life and so that musical kind of introduced me to what I wanted to do,” said Liz Prado. “When I found out that we were doing Hairspray, I was so excited. I was just ready, I just wanted to be in it.”

“I was excited but nervous at the same time because the people who performed it before us, I don’t know if we were going to match them. I came into Hairspray not even going for a lead,” said Akhiir McNeil. “I’m definitely learning some new things that I didn’t learn about myself through the character.”

Cast members also spoke highly of their director, some of whom had met her when they were children and will grace the stage for the very last time at NFA. For many, she has been an inspiration to them.

“I met Cliff when I was, I think, four or five years old. I came to almost all of her productions, I would go to every dance performance, everything, and I always always wanted to be those kids on stage, I knew I had it in me to do that,” said Bella Sabillon. “She treated me like one of her own and she’s just a beautiful person. She’s been a beautiful person to me all around and it’s crazy to know that I’m leaving her this year.”

“I used to come and watch the shows when I was younger at NFA and I just always dreamed of being a part of it. And now that I am, I just could not ask for a better director,” said Chiara Graziano. “I have not heard a single person from any other school, talk about their director in such a positive light like we can and I just I could not ask for anyone better.”

“I always feel like I’m being pushed, but in the right direction. I always feel like I can do more and I’m capable of doing more,” said Kai Pelsue. “It’s made me strive to be the best actor I can and she’s inspired me to come back and do teaching as well and keep directing musicals in the future.”

Heading into opening weekend, the cast is eager to put on a great show for the Newburgh community and families and welcome all to take part in the fun and enjoy the story being told on stage.

“I would say that I want people to see us on stage. I want them to see our family bond because I think that when you have that on stage it shows and everybody feels it when they’re watching you,” said Monique May. “I definitely want everybody to come and just feel it, not just only see it, but view what we’re trying to put out there.”

“I want everyone to come and see all the hard work that people have been putting in. I think everyone in this room can say that they’ve been giving 100% and helping everyone else reach that and it’s so much Cliff, everyone here has given so much,” said Taryn Sileno. “Our cast has worked so hard, and it’s such an amazing show, such an amazing story that not a lot of other schools can do and I think that’s really important and you should come see.”

“I think when you come see Hairspray, you’re gonna get to see a lot of different genres of talent, you’re gonna get to see a lot of people on this stage who haven’t gotten seen before. I think that’s really important. I guess you could say it’s our big break,” said Vince Shelinsky. “You’re just gonna get to see the passion through the entire show. You’re gonna see how much hard work everyone put on and in Hairspray fashion, it’s gonna be big, blonde and beautiful.”

Opening night will be on Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. at Newburgh Free Academy located at 201 Fullerton Avenue in Newburgh. Saturday, March 16 will have two shows beginning at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets, please visit www.showtix4u.com/event-details/81285.