Hairspray—the musical based on John Water’s 1988 campy, cult classic film, promises to be a rocking good time when it opens this Friday night at the Bedford Hills Community House. The show is the 17^th production of the Bedford Community Theatre, a group that formed in 2002.

It tells a story set in racially-segregated Baltimore in 1962 where Tracy Turnblad—a determined large-sized teenager with a big hairdo—wants to join the cast of a TV dance program, racially integrate the show and pursue the boy she loves. Winning a spot on the TV show, she is transformed from outsider to teen celebrity.

Turnblad is played by Arielle Schechtman, a native of Katonah and a John Jay High School graduate who has been performing for many years. She said she is very excited to play her first lead role in this local production of Hairspray.

 “This is a dream to be playing the lead,” Schechtman said.“Tracy Turnblad is so much fun—she is colorblind and sees the beauty in everybody.”

Directing the show has been a labor of love for John Thompson who is heading up his fourth production at BCT. “This has been a great experience for me and challenging as a director,” he said. “The whole cast is terrific, the 60’s pop-influenced songs are so catchy and the message is extremely uplifting.”

He said he was drawn to directing Hairspray because he sees this musical as having the rare combination of show-stopping numbers that are infused with such positive themes of inclusion and acceptance—be it race, appearance or gender.

The show features 36 cast members who hail from the Bedford area and as far south as the Bronx, according to Thompson. “They have worked extremely hard and put together a phenomenal show.”

Hairspray made its Broadway debut in 2002 and went on to win eight Tony Awards. It returned to the big screen in a 2007 re-make that starred John Travolta, Zack Efron and Queen Latifah among others. The show has remained a favorite around the world with its powerful message of tolerance and empowerment.

With its contagious music by Marc Shaiman (and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman) and lots of cool dancing, 20-year old Schechtman says theater-goers will have a blast.

 “You will fall in love with the show: it is hysterical, the music is fantastic and the message is inspiring—it’s just a great time.”

Performances are Fridays November 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays November 12 and November 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m. at Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St, Bedford Hills.Tickets are $20 - call 914-244-0474