UNCP Students Share the Stage with Broadway Stars

Christian McArthur took a breath, steadied himself in the heat of the stage lights and stepped into the spotlight. Then the music hit. Moments later, he was moving through tightly choreographed steps, a wide, unmistakable smile breaking across his face as he performed alongside Tony Award-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur.

For McArthur, a senior in UNC Pembroke’s Musical Theatre program, the experience felt almost impossible to believe.

“My favorite musical is 'Hairspray',” he said. “I was really surprised when I heard that we would get to work with them. It’s not every day you get to see the original cast of 'Hairspray,' let alone perform with them.”

McArthur was one of 19 UNCP students who joined original "Hairspray" stars Winokur, Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy when the trio brought their show, "Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now," to the Givens Performing Arts Center.

Winokur won a Tony Award for her role as Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray."  Butler is best known for her Broadway performances in Beetlejuice and Xanadu, the latter earning her a Tony nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. And Bundy made her stage debut at age nine before appearing as young Sarah Whittle in the 1995 film "Jumanji" alongside Robin Williams.

"Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now" was created by Butler, Bundy and Winokur to celebrate their decades-long careers on Broadway and beyond. But just as importantly, it reflects their commitment to mentoring the next generation of performers.

During a production meeting, Bundy proposed inviting university students to join the performance, emphasizing collaboration over a traditional guest appearance.

For Daniel Bukin, director of the Musical Theatre program, the answer was immediate.

“When the director of GPAC asked me if I’d be interested, I nearly went through the ceiling and screamed ‘Yes!’” he said.

From that moment, excitement spread quickly.

Students began preparing in earnest, adding weekly rehearsals to an already demanding schedule of classes and performances.

“This performance and the dress rehearsal leading up to it were the best educational experiences our students will ever have,” Bukin said. “Musical theatre at this level is high intensity and fast-paced, so the ability to take direction, adapt, collaborate and maintain a professional demeanor are all highly important.”

The night before the performance, Bundy met with students in Moore Hall Auditorium for a masterclass to prepare them for the moment ahead.

“Singing strongly doesn’t have any impact unless the heart is attached,” she told them — a reminder that technical skill alone isn’t enough to move an audience.

By the next day, preparation gave way to performance.

In a whirlwind rehearsal, students worked through choreography and staging with the full cast, compressing what would typically take months into a single, high-intensity session.

"My favorite moment of our concert was when we showed up to sound check, and the students were already in place running through the music,” Winokur said. “It reminded me of where I came from, and I have high hopes for all of them. Who knows, maybe there was a future Broadway star on stage with us, and we will now be part of their story.”

Most of the UNCP students joined the ensemble, lending their voices to enhance the show’s musical numbers.

McArthur, along with Nelah McLean and Keylianies Arandia-Colon, stepped further into the spotlight as featured backup singers.

For Arandia-Colon, the moment felt just as surreal.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this,” said the sophomore musical theatre major. “I’ve been a fan of 'Hairspray' since I was little.”

McLean, a freshman, shared the news immediately with her biggest supporter.

“I told my mom right away when I heard we were going to perform with the original cast of Hairspray. She screamed,” McLean said. “I am going to make my mom so proud.”

For the Broadway performers, the experience was just as meaningful.

“Working with the UNCP students was so special,” Butler said. “It’s very exciting to have a full choir singing with us. They added so much to our show, and it’s a great opportunity for them to see behind the scenes and what it takes to put on a professional performance.”

Bundy echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of investing in emerging artists.

“Cultivating and shaping young artists has become a great passion for me,” she said. “There is no greater feeling than experiencing the moment where a young performer has a breakthrough, and there were several during our masterclass and show.”

When the final curtain fell, the intensity of the experience gave way to something quieter — pride. 

“After the show, Laura told me that our students were some of the best backup singers they have ever had for this show,” Bukin said. “I am incredibly proud of them.”