My mom and I went to see the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's production of "Hairspray" yesterday at the Strand Theatre, and it was fantastic. All of the singing and dancing was Broadway-quality, but my favorite member of this cast was Kayce Grogan Wallace, who plays "Motormouth Maybelle." According to her bio in the program, she is a theatre graduate of KSU and teaches drama in Marietta City Schools. Her singing was simply electric.

This was the first ALT show I have seen, and I came away very impressed. The theatre -- at least on the floor, where we sat -- was very close to being sold out. Some of its upcoming shows are "The Music Man", "42nd Street" and "Rent."

I am continually amazed at how blessed this community is with a bounty of cultural and performing arts opportunities right in our backyard. Among other places to see a show or hear a concert -- or do something else cool -- are The Art Place, which has locations in east Cobb and Kennesaw; Theatre in the Square; and Blackwell Playhouse on Canton Road.