from the president

Dear Friends of Omaha Performing Arts, Welcome to the ‘60s!

HAIRSPRAY hasn’t been on tour since 2009, so I’m delighted that we were able to bring it back to close another amazing Broadway season. The music and script are pure joy, and the underlying messages are as relevant today as ever - the importance of accepting and embracing our di erences and working together for positive change.

The appeal of HAIRSPRAY spans generations, and the story of Tracy Turnblad and her big hair and big dreams is beloved by audiences. Based on the script from the 1988 lm, the 2002 Broadway production ran for more than six years and stands as the 22nd longest-running show in Broadway history. It was followed by a nationwide tour, a star-studded 2007 lm, and a thrilling live production on NBC in 2016. This new tour reunites that award-winning Broadway creative team and is sure to inspire new fans.

I challenge you to stay in your seat during the high-energy performances. It’s just so much fun, with favorite songs like “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Good Morning Baltimore.” And the dialogue is clever and engaging. Still, it has powerful moments of personal re ection.

I hope you’ll enjoy this popular musical as much as all of us do, and I’m excited to introduce this updated version to the next generation!

See you next season for another spectacular year of Broadway!

Joan H. Squires President, Omaha Performing Arts

We’re excited to welcome Lauren Johnson, who plays Lorraine, back home to Omaha and O-pa! As a high school student, she won multiple awards through our Nebraska High School Theater Academy program and served as our Jimmy Awards® representative in NYC in 2016 & 2017, where she was a national finalist for the top award!