Two classic musicals are making their way to the Eugene area this weekend. The comedic Hairspray and the dramatic and historically popular Les Miserables will be featured.
Hairspray will be showcased at the New Hope Center Auditorium in Eugene, under the helm of Cindy Kelly. Kelly has connected the musical to some serious racial issues that have been center stage recently.
“The basic plot of these Baltimore teenagers struggling to integrate the Corny Collins Show in the early ’60s was based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show,” said Kelly. “However, the outcome of the Buddy Deane Show was quite different: That show was canceled due to backlash from the attempts to integrate the show.”
“We are reminded that racism is still something that plagues us today,” said Kelly. “In subtle and overt ways, racism continues to exist even here in our own backyard.”
Les Miserables will be at the Cottage Theater in Cottage Grove with Alan Beck steering the ship.
Hairspray!: 1790 Charnelton St., 7 pm., $15-21
Les Miserable: 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, 8 p.m., $26
Here’s what else is going on this weekend.
EUGENE:
Apr. 11 Color Me Rad 5K
We’ve all seen Facebook posts and pictures on Twitter of friends at the finish line with blue, green, pink and other colors all over their bodies. Now you can check that off your bucket list.
293 Valley River Center, 9 a.m., $15-35.
Apr. 11-12 Eugene Public Library Book Sale
Head over to Downtown Eugene and search for your favorite books for an incredibly cheap price.
796 W 13th Ave., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Apr 11 Super Intergalactic Electro Swing Special
Some of the coolest music to listen to is swing music. The purpose of swing is to make you get up and dance. Fuse that with electronic music and you have a giant dance party.
291 W 8th Ave., 9 p.m., $12-15.
PORTLAND:
Apr. 9-11 Nikki Glaser at the Helium Comedy Club
Glaser has performed on The Tonight Show, CONAN and Last Comic Standing. She is currently a contestant on Comedy Central’s @midnight and will be in the upcoming season of Inside Amy Schumer.
1510 S.E. 9th Ave., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $15-30
Apr. 11 ‘80s Dance Cruise
Who doesn’t love the ’80s when you can wear hammer pants? DJ MC provides the beats, you provide the funky moves.
Only ages 21 and over permitted, Saturdays 11 p.m. – 1 a.m., $20
Apr. 12 Franz Grilled Cheese Day
It seems like everything has a day, and this Sunday it’s national Grilled Cheese Day. Courtesy of Franz Bakery, enjoy free grilled cheese sandwiches, beverages and games.
2828 NE Glisan St., 11 a.m – 2 p.m., FREE.
Follow Mike Mendoza on Twitter @MikeWheresIke