Hairspray, an award-winning musical tackling issues of body image, bigotry and racial tension, is part of Brampton Music Theatre’s (BMT) programming this season.

“Hairspray (set in the '60s) is about segregation between blacks and whites, and at first, I didn’t think we would get the demographics turnout (to audition) for the show,” said Sharon Vandrish, musical director and co-producer Hairspray, adding membership for BMT shows have been predominantly Caucasians. “But, then I realized this (musical) offers us a great opportunity to draw in the youth as well as a more diverse audience to experience the incredible energy of the show together.”

The show, running Nov. 9-18 at the Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln., is an example of community theatre bringing people together to lend its voice to relevant issues, she said.

More 160 artists showed up for the auditions. At the practice sessions too, it's hard not to miss the friendship and chemistry of the cast, Vandrish said.

The 2003 Tony Award-winner follows a plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad (Jessica Dominicis) who learns some dance moves from her black friend Seaweed (Kevin Thomas) and gets invited to dance in a popular TV show. This was a lifelong dream for her. Tracy uses her star power to dethrone the Teen Queen, win a boy’s heart and advocate for racial integration.

Cassie Baird handled the choreography for the BMT’s musical with artistic director Joe Gomes. Shawn Byfield, a Cawthra Park Secondary School alumnus and well-known artist, orchestrated two numbers.

Byfield brought materials that illustrated the racial tension between blacks and whites in the 1960s to rehearsals and by doing so, “opened the eyes of the cast.” His idea added an educational component, Vandrish said.

Dominicis, 21, said when Hairspray made its Broadway debut, her parents gifted her the soundtrack, which she played over and over as she mastered the lyrics. Dominicis said she too went through issues of body image during her teens, but didn’t let it faze her.

“I see myself in Tracy because like her, I love to dance and don’t judge people,” she said. “I have been dancing my whole life and don’t have a typical ballerina body by any means, but I don’t see myself as different from anyone …”

For tickets and information, visit here, call 905-874-2800 or visit www.rosetheatre.ca.