Bright costumes, high-energy dance numbers, and a story set in the 60s might make Hairspray: The Musical seem like pure entertainment theatre. But beneath the upbeat music and humor, the show tackles issues that still resonate today – racism, body image, and the fight for inclusion. As Derby Dinner Playhouse brings Hairspray: The Musical to the stage as their final show of their season, its message feels just as relevant in 2026 as it did when it first premiered.
While audiences may come for the fun, they leave with something deeper. Theatre has long been a space for social commentary, and productions like Hairspray, alongside shows like Cabaret and Ragtime, continue to prove that musicals can reflect the world we live in. For Katelyn Webb, that message is central to performance.
Webb said her journey into theatre began unexpectedly. Growing up in a town without a theatre program, she discovered that she could sing around age 11 before being persuaded by a friend to attend an audition at a regional theatre in the town over.
“It was a whim,” Webb said. “I was dragged with her.”
Her first production was Babe The Sheep-Pig, where she played a show dog. Since then, theatre has become more than a hobby – it has become a space where she feels represented and undertood.
That personal connection is part of what drew Webb to Hairspray. She said as a plus-sized performer, the show’s themes surrounding acceptance and inclusion feel especially meaningful.
“There’s not a lot of love for bigger bodies in theatre,” Webb said. “It’s an incredibly superficial industry. It’s getting better, but it’s pretty famously anti-ethnicity and tight waist – different from the physical form society views as beautiful, and Hairspray combats all of them. I think that’s beautiful.”
Webb believes inclusion is not just important in Hairspray, but in theatre as a whole.
“You cannot have true theatre that is representing life and real people without having inclusion involved. You don’t have life without different people, different sizes, different colors, belief systems, cultures and backgrounds.”
Outside of Hairspray, Webb’s love for musical theatre extends to darker comedies and classics alike. She named Sweeney Todd and Urinetown as her favorite musicals; And noted that she has performed in both.
For students interested in theatre, Webb offered encouragement and one quote, cliche piece of advice.
“You’re gonna feel, oftentimes, like you’re not good enough,” Webb said. “I almost quit. I almost went into tech because of the stigma behind it. But if you know you wanna do it, just do it.”
As Hairspray closes out the season at Derby Dinner Playhouse, its message of acceptance and perseverance continues to resonate both onstage and off – reminding audiences that theatre is at its strongest when everyone has a place in the spotlight.
Hairspray: The Musical last performance is May 17th.
