'Hairspray,' Marco Island style, theater camp production

Many remember John Travolta playing Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray" in the 2007 movie.

Eddie Ludwigsen, 13, plans on a new twist to the role as the Marco Island Theater Camp performs the musical on Saturday at the Marco Players Theatre in the Town Center Mall.

A popular Marco Parks & Recreation program, a number of the lead players have lots of experience in Gina Sisbarro's productions. There will be two shows, 3 and 7 p.m., at the Marco Players Theater on Saturday.

However, tickets are hard to come by as each child in the program can get up to four tickets. With 35 participants that leaves few vacancies for two shows in the 90-seat theater. The best bet is to contact the kids' parents.

Sisbarro directs, while daughter Booey is the choreographer for this talented group.

Ludwigsen has been in seven shows since he moved to Marco Island three years ago.

"I enjoy playing different people," Ludwigsen said. Most recent roles were in "Breakfast Club" and "A Christmas Carol."

"I have met a lot of people and made a lot of friends through the shows," he said.

Ryan Sullivan, 10, who plays Edna's husband Wilbur, played Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol" and Percy the Plug in "Pocahontas."

"He is Mr. Comic Relief," Sisbarro says of Sullivan, who has been a return player for three years. He plays Wilbur, the easygoing proprietor of the "Hardy-Har Hut" joke shop.

Josie Torres plays a lead role as Edna's daughter Tracy, an optimistic, overweight teenage girl who loves dancing, Torres gets to sing and dance in the production, which is her sixth.

"I have to wear a fat suit for the part," Torres said. "I love dancing and acting, it is so much fun."

This is the 14th show for 15-year-old Joey Bryne who plays Corny Collins, host of "The Corny Collins Show."

"I started being in shows at nine, said Bryne. "It builds confidence, it is lots of fun and I gain theater experience," he said. "I want to be able to use this (experience) to get a college scholarship in theater."

At the beginning of the two-week camp, each camper auditions by doing a song and a dance. Casting comes from the auditions.

Sisbarro said the show is "Hairspray," Marco Island Style.

"In this production segregation is not about color, it is about economic status. The lyrics have been changed to fit the production and the cast will deliver a powerful message on the topic of prejudice."

Sisbarro acknowledges the Marco Players for continually providing a home for the summer theater camp; Marco Office Supply for printing all the scripts and for a pizza lunch the first week of camp; Zinfuls for hosting the Local Chapter of Business Women and introducing the cast to the business women of Collier County and a rehearsal pizza lunch; Marco Island Florist, providing flowers for the cast.

The next camp begins July 23. The production will be "Happy Days."

Cost for a camper is $145 for a Marco resident and $174, for a nonresident. Minimum size class is 25, with 35 maximum. Advance registration is recommending by calling 642-0575.