You can't stop the beat when students from Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts take the stage to present the Tony Award-winning musical "Hairspray."
Performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16, at the performing arts magnet school, 1301 Dallas Road.
"Hairspray" is the tale of a quirky teenager and her dream to become a dancer for a local TV show. Once she wins an audition for the show, she uses her new-found celebrity status to advocate for racial integration on the television show.
Playing optimistic teen Tracy Turnblad will be Shea Grande. Tracy's mother, Edna, will be played by Molly Barclay.
"'Hairspray' is a wonderful, lively musical and delivers a timely message of equality, unity and inclusion from a group of teenagers who dream of a better world," said Cody Murphy, CCA director of musical theatre.
Murphy says the cast of 44 students will be accompanied by CCA students supplemented with local professional musicians. The musical is choreographed by Lindsay Fussell and Crystal Newson.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.centerforcreativearts.net or at the door.