The Auburn Area Community Theater will present the musical “Hairspray!” this month.

Set in Baltimore 1962, “Hairspray!” tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a large girl with big hair and a kind heart. Tracy has only one passion--to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and is quickly transformed into a teen celebrity. One of Tracy’s hopes is to racially integrate the television show.

Play director Barbara Stauffer-Brewi said that the artistic board chose the play because they hoped it would bring in a larger community to participate in the theatre.

“It’s a fun musical that everybody knows, but we also wanted to encourage the black community to come be a part of the theatre,” she said.

Stauffer-Brewi said that she believes there is a lot of talent in the Auburn/Opelika area that isn’t being used.

“There’s just so much talent out there that’s not being used and we wanted to encourage that,” she said.

She added that 152 people in the area auditioned for the musical during auditions in September. It was the largest audition they’ve had.

“We had a fantastic response from the university, a lot of college kids, and a lot of adults that responded,” she said. “It has met our wildest dreams. We’re really thrilled with it.”

Performances will be at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on Nov. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Admission is $15. Reservations are recommended. Tickets can be reserved by calling (334) 329-8512. Cash and checks are accepted.

Brewi said she expects those in attendance will have a lot of fun watching the show.

“It is a comedy with a lot of funny lines and just a lot of plain old slapstick comedy, but it has a very powerful message underneath about acceptance and equality and how preconceived notions hurt everyone,” she said. “It’s kind of this great moral message wrapped up in cotton candy.”