Students from the Cranston West theater program perform “Hairspray,” a family-friendly musical piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs for three performances this weekend.

It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and 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.

With spirited dancing show tune favorites, including “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Good Morning, Baltimore” the cast of 40 talented students, with more than 50 students working behind the scenes, will take you back to the ’60s.

Led by theater teacher director and choreographer Nancy Vitulli, the award-winning Cranston West Theater Program prepares students for further study or work in theater arts, while developing confidence, poise, articulate communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking skills required to become productive members of society.  In a theater classroom or production environment, all students are encouraged to develop a lifelong appreciation for theatre arts.

Show dates are as follows: Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. All general admission tickets are $12 and can be purchased prior to the show as well as at the door.

Reserved tickets can be picked up Dec. 7 and 8 from 5-8 p.m. in the CHSW auditorium or at the door prior to the performance. Doors open one hour before show. For your convenience, tickets can be purchased online using BookTix at www.chsw.booktix.com. Purchased tickets can be printed at home.