Hairspray is coming to the Hillside Theater at Zilker Park July 10 – August 15, 2015. The show runs Thursday through Sunday evenings, beginning approximately at 8:15 p.m.
About the show
Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Hairspray is a high-energy musical comedy phenomenon that will have the whole Hillside on their feet! Set in 1962 Baltimore, this musical is chock full of dazzling, toe-tapping production numbers and soulful rhythm and blues.
Hairspray set in progress! Photo taken July 6, four days before Opening Night.
Is there a cost to attend?
The annual Zilker Summer Musical is FREE and open to the public. Zilker Theatre Productions is a 501(c)(3) organization and can only provide this annual entertainment through contributions. So, during intermission, you will be asked to donate what you can to support these shows.
What time does it start and end?
The show starts around 8:15 p.m., with intermission at approximately 10 p.m. The show should end at around 11:20 p.m. This, of course, could vary slightly each night. If you’re worried about staying out too late, you might also want to consider the fact that it takes a little while for all of the cars to exit the parking lot following the show. However, if you want to leave a little early, you can certainly plan to do so. Just sit on the sidelines or way back, and you can easily sneak out without troubling those around you.
Where is the Zilker Hillside Theatre, and where can I park?
Beverly S. Sheffield Theater is located across from Barton Springs Pool. The parking entrance is located at 2201 Barton Springs Road within Zilker Park, with much of the parking in a dirt field. The City of Austin charges $5 per car for parking and there is limited handicapped parking in the lower parking lot closer to Barton Springs Pool. Be sure to allow extra time for parking, as the car line to get into Zilker Park can move slowly.
Where can I sit?
Guests are invited to bring their own blankets and folding chairs to sit on the grassy hillside to watch the show. Blankets may not be put down before 6 p.m. and plastic tarps are not allowed. Full-height lawn chairs are only allowed along the walls at the top of the hillside, as they block the view of other patrons. Low-height, low-backed “beach chairs” and blankets are allowed in the section behind the lighting poles on the second level. Also, note that there are some centrally located spots that are reserved for donors and cast members’ families.
ADA accessibility allows for designated seating for audience members with special needs. The first level (stage level) will be available for these patrons. Please contact Zilker Theatre Productions at (512) 479-9491 if you need any special assistance.
What can I bring?
Pack a picnic basket and/or cooler. A variety of drinks and snacks (including cotton candy and donuts) can also be purchased from the theater’s concession stand, with proceeds benefiting the production. Don’t forget your bug repellant. And, if you have any hand-held fans, you might wish to bring those, too, to help you stay cool in the warm summer temperatures.
– No glass containers are allowed.
– No smoking is permitted in the seating area.
– No pets are allowed.
What is the bathroom situation?
There are port-a-potties on-site, as well as the restroom by Barton Springs Pool (although that building operates on pool hours.) There is also an air-conditioned bathroom for the actors that patrons can use for the night if they provide a $25 donation.
Is the musical appropriate for kids?
Obviously, it is totally up to parents to decide if this production is a good fit for their children. There are always kids of all ages on the hillside. The beauty of a free, outdoor show is that you can certainly leave early if it’s not working out—or you can plan ahead to leave early if you know you child cannot stay up late enough for the show’s end.
What if it rains?
For information on the status of an evening’s performance, call the Zilker Theatre Productions Hotline at (512) 479-9491. You can also check their Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.
Where to get more info?
For more information, visit the Zilker Theatre Productions website.
Zilker Hillside Theater
2301 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 479-9491
Attending the Zilker Summer Musical is on the July Summer Fun Checklist for Kids! Be sure to check it off your list if you go!
