News & Discussion
Articles // Details
Hairspray - The Musical: Essential Facts : 7th January 2009
Synopsis
Tracy Turnblad, a large girl with big hair and a kind heart, has only one passion--to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and is quickly transformed into a teen celebrity. She then successfully sets out to vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of the super handsome Link Larkin, and racially integrate the television show.
Plot Summary
Hairspray is an award-winning musical, based on the 1988 movie Hairspray. The story is of a girl named Tracy Turnblad whose dream is to dance on the Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Dean Show in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She gets a chance on the show and becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to racially integrate the Corny Collins Show.
History
The stage adaption was first presented at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre before arriving in New York City in 2002. It is currently playing on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on 52nd Street, and is also playing on tour in Harrah's Atlantic City, New Jersey until September 8th, 2006.
Late in 2003, Marissa Jaret Winokur was replaced with One Life to Live actress Kathy Brier in the role of Tracy Turnblad. In 2004, 19-year-old actress Carly Jibson replaced Brier in the role of Tracy, while actor Michael McKean replaced Harvey Fierstein in the role of Tracy's mother, Edna Turnblad. McKean was later followed by Bruce Vilanch and John Pinette. In June 2005, Marissa Jaret Winokur returned to the role of Tracy for one month before Shannon Durig took over.
Kelly Osbourne claimed on British TV in early 2005 that she had been offered the lead on Broadway, but this was never confirmed.
The role of Amber Von Tussle is currently played by Haylie Duff.
A Las Vegas Production of the show ran at the Luxor Hotel from February to June 2006. During the first half of the run, original star Harvey Fierstein reprised his role as Tracy's Mother, Edna Turnblad.
The Broadway musical was re-adapted as a musical film in 2007. It starred Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingelton, and John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Brittany Snow as Edna Turnblad, Motormouth Maybelle, Velma Von Tussle, Wilbur Turnblad, and Amber Von Tussle, respectively.
Hairspray is a global phenomenon, with productions all round the world. A Canadian production opened at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Ontario in May 2004 and ran for over 250 performances. A Finnish production also played in Helsinki in 2005. In summer 2007 Hairspray opened in Tokyo, Osaka, Korea and South Africa, and London.
Hairspray - The Musical backing tracks are available on the website
