Hairspray: The Musical Opens OFC’s Broadway in Brighton™ Series
OFC Creations Theatre will open its 2026-2027 Broadway in Brighton Series™ with Hairspray: The Musical, September 24 through October 11, 2026. The show features Broadway veteran and Rochester native Shannon Mullen; Amy Rodriguez, who played the starring role in the national tour; and Jay Falzone, creator and star of the Calamari Sisters, as Edna Turnblad.
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable 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.
“There’s something incredibly special about coming home to perform Hairspray because it’s the show that started everything for me,” shares Shannon Mullen, who has performed on Broadway and served as dance captain in both A Bronx Tale and Pretty Woman and several national tours including the role of Tammy in the tour of Hairspray. “It was my first Broadway National Tour and the experience that ultimately launched my career, leading me to Broadway and beyond. Returning to tell this story with OFC Creations—a company that’s deeply committed to inspiring and investing in the next generation of performers—makes this experience feel truly full circle. I hope audiences leave with a smile, and that every young artist involved is reminded that the dreams they begin pursuing in their hometown can take them farther than they ever imagined.”
Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the Sixties,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” the New York Times calls the show “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!”
“I’m so excited to make my OFC Creations debut as the spunky and lovable Tracy Turnblad,” says Amy Rodriguez, who also starred as Tracy in the national tour. “Hairspray’s message is so impactful and important, and I can’t wait to share it with the Rochester community!”
“I am thrilled to bring Hairspray as our opening show for the Broadway in Brighton season,” shares Eric Vaughn Johnson, Artistic Director of OFC and director of this production. “Bringing such an incredible cast of various backgrounds, combined with the energy and positive message of this show, is a great way to start the season.”
The 2026-2027 Broadway in Brighton Series™ invites audiences to embark on a worldwide adventure through the stories told on stage. Each stop along the way introduces a tale from across the globe, transporting audiences from familiar destinations to far-off places.
The season continues with: A Christmas Story: The Musical, based on the beloved holiday film; Kiss of the Spider Woman, back in Rochester for the first time in over ten years; The Witches of Eastwick, a New York State premiere; The Osmonds: A New Musical, the first North American production; and Miss Saigon, back in Rochester for the first time in eight years.
Additionally, there are two special add-ons: Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, back by popular demand from last year, and Bun in the Oven: Contractions with the Calamari Sisters.
For information, showtimes, and tickets, visit ofccreations.com.
