IMAGE GALLERY: 'You Can't Stop the Beat'

" is a musical full of fun, high energy music and dance, but it also comments on important issues like race, bullying, discrimination and the definition of "family," wrote Framingham High Drama Company advisor and Hairspray director in the program for the production.

Framingham High School Drama Company stages three shows of the John Waters musical this past weekend, including two sold out performances.

Hairspray is the story of an overweight, white teen wth dreams of starring on a teen dance show. During the musical, she stands up for herself and for others - intergrating the popular Corny Collins show.

wrote in the program, "Times have changed ... today we celebrate how far we have come and are reminded of how far we can go if one person acts on a dream! This is a pretty strong message for our performers, our audience, our school, and our community."

Hannah Cohen had the leading role of Tracy Turnblad. Ben Khalil played her mom Edna and her father Wilbur.

Freshman Erinn Harding played Penny Pingleton with Aner Martino in the role of Seaweed.

Senior had the role of Amber with her mother Velma.

played Link, whom Tracy adores. Matt Scranton had the role of Corny Collins.

Najah Walker had the role of Maybelle Motormouth.

principal Michael Welch had a cameo as the principal of Tracy's high school.

There were more than 100 students in the cast.