Binghamton University just can’t stop the beat of the 25 talented triple threats (acting, singing and dancing) who are storming the Watters Theater stage for the theater department’s annual Mainstage musical. Directed by Anne Brady, “Hairspray” is the final Mainstage production for the fall season, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, “Hairspray” centers around a heavy-set Baltimore teen, Tracy Turnblad, during the 1960s when television shows were beginning to desegregate. Tracy enjoys dancing and has her heart set on performing on the popular television show, “The Corny Collins Show.” However, as she pursues this dream Tracy discovers the unfair treatment of blacks in the industry and makes it her mission to help integrate the television show.

When it came time for professor Anne Brady to select a musical to direct for the fall 2012 semester, she wanted to find something fun.

“I loved working with JoEllen [the choreographer] on ‘Urinetown’ and I wanted to do lots of dancing and could incorporate as many people as possible, because I wanted to bring new people into department,” Brady said.

Brady had to beg the costume and design departments because of how much work would be required for a show like “Hairspray.” She explained that the play’s novelty and relatability would make it a big hit with the campus audience.

The department not only had to find a way to keep the play within budget, but they also had to perform the play on a stage with little storage space to tell a story with several different locations. It takes “We Can’t Stop the Beat” to an entirely different level — the actors literally change scene on set while singing, dancing and acting, continuing the play’s journey without a second to stop and breathe.

“We have three round platforms of various sizes that shift during the course of the play,” Brady said. “There are several elements that fly in and out as well.”

Rudy Bamenga, a senior majoring in theater who plays Seaweed, said he enjoys the different levels of the set.

“They definitely give me a lot more of an opportunity to play around with the set, and the fact that it does move so often make this a production where I can easily be influenced by the set,” Bamenga said.

Michelle Goldrich, an undeclared sophomore, plays spunky and strong-willed Tracy Turnblad. This is Goldrich’s first production with the theater department.

“I did shows in high school, but this is a completely different level of professionalism,” Goldrich said. “Anne has you say what is your intention and how you are affecting each person, and how are they affecting you. It’s more than words in script. What am I doing has taken acting to a whole other level. It’s crazy and I’m loving it.”

Imani Williams, a sophomore majoring in theater, said the secret to handling the challenge of energetically singing and dancing at the same time is in the cast’s stamina and endurance; they continue to power through even when they are exhausted at the end of the show. She confessed that a big reason she tried out for “Hairspray” was the appeal of a black ensemble.

“I thought I’d like to see what it feels like to go back to the 60s and see if I could take on feeling what a black person felt at that time,” Williams said.

Underneath all the glamour and dancing, “Hairspray” is filled with deeper messages that will speak to audiences and resonate with them.

“As light-hearted as it is, it also has some really interesting and important messages about how people can be who they are, and that the things that separate us aren’t really that different,” said Brendan Gregory, a sophomore majoring in theater.

Performances will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m., with an additional performance on Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. All performances will be in Watters Theater. Tickets for “Hairspray” can be purchased at the box office in the Anderson Center, by calling the Anderson Center Box Office at (777) ARTS-2787 or by visiting www.binghamton.edu/anderson-center. Tickets are $10 for students, $16 for faculty, staff and seniors and $18 for general admission.