DANBURY — A stirring evening of toe tapping music and bebop dance is playing out under the stars at Richter Park.  Musicals at Richter’s second production of their season is Hairspray, with book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

This musical tackles a sensitive and all too topical subject with music, humor and love, while delivering its simple message of inclusiveness and appreciation for diversity.

Tracy Turnblad, played by Katie Cummings, is a high schooler with spirit, energy, and rhythm. She longs to dance on a local Baltimore program hosted by Corny Collins (Robert Bria), a slickster with a microphone who gets all the white kids on his show to sing and dance the latest routines.

The television show is produced by Velma Von Tussle (Stacy Basinger-Goodman), a momzilla who is also a raging bigot. She shamelessly promotes her daughter Amber (Jessica Schwartz), for the prize of being Miss Hairspray. When a regular on the show has to leave for reasons that will be resolved in nine months, Tracy — with the constant support of her awkward and naïve sidekick, Penny Pingleton (Brooke Morris) — decides to audition for the open role. Coaxed by her funny guy dad, Wilbur (Ted Schwartz), and cautioned by her hardened-by-life’s-disappointments mom, Edna (Mike Armstrong), Tracy dashes off with Penny in tow.

Tracy, a zaftig young woman, is harshly turned away among jeers by other dancers and vicious words from Velma. Hurt, but not discouraged, she makes friends with the black kids in her school who are always in detention with her. Smooth-as-silk dancer Seaweed (Ismael Santana) teaches Tracy a move or two in the black style, which is only permitted to be televised once a month, and never integrated into the weekly white program.

Tracy busts her new moves in an open audition and Corny is hooked. He loves Tracy and her dancing, hires her on the spot, and then, wouldn’t you know it, the dreamy crooner, Link Larkin (Connor Spain), falls under Tracy’s spell — a problem, because he is hitched to Amber. 

The battle is on as Velma and Amber bare their teeth to hold onto segregation and Link. Tracy, in her ebullient, wise, and big-hearted way, gleefully spreads her message that everyone has something to offer. She embraces all, with nary an unkind word towards the haters. 

You may be able to guess how it all turns out. I can only say that this audience member was dancing in the aisle at the joyful conclusion.

The vocal talent in this cast raises the bar. To a one, they sang with such power, emotion, and skill that the audience was wowed, erupting into spontaneous applause.

Katie Cummings is just delightful as Tracy. She is a skilled vocalist with solid dance skills. As her best friend, Brooke Morris is hysterically funny.

Jessica Schwartz delivers in the exacting role of the spoiled Amber. Stacy Basinger-Goodman’s performance as Velma reflects considerable talent and commitment.

A Supremes-style girl group, The Dynamites, includes Janina Gonzalez-Rosa, Josephine Gottfried and Jessica Paige. They were phenomenal. 

Bobby Bria, once again, charms with his enthusiasm. Ismael Santana performs with understated elegance and ease. He is completely convincing.

Mike Armstrong’s deadpan is perfectly poised to Ted Schwartz’s goofy. Connor Spain is lovely as a heartbreaker with a heart.

Greih Wilson-McClain, as Motormouth Maybelle, sings a soulful rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” with a depth of feeling and connection that completely belies her youth. Akira Golz as Little Inez is a simply amazing.

The choreography and direction, both by Matthew Farina, were exceptional in their creativity and concept.

So, get your beehive on, because something super special is abuzz at Musicals At Richter. Don’t miss this catchy musical with its superb cast and message of love.

Performances continue Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 10-12; and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 16-18. For tickets and information visit www.musicalsatrichter.org.

Shows are presented at Richter Arts Center, adjacent to Richater Park Golf Course at 100 Aunt Hack Road in Danbury.