Based on a hit cult movie, Hairspray is bursting with song and dance.  The rock musical is entertaining and filled with catchy songs, quirky characters and lots of laughs.

You might remember a young Ricki Lake starring in the film Hairspray back in 1988.  The movie, written by John Walters, was based on a book written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.  It was first conceived as a musical when in 1998, theater producer Margo Lion happened to see the original movie on television.  She immediately began taking steps to clear the way for the musical production. She hired the team of Marc Shaiman and his partner Scott Wittman to create the music. 

The musical opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway on August 15, 2002.  Since then it has won eight Tony awards and began touring internationally. 

Set in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1962, the plot of this musical is very much a social commentary on the times.  It deals with prejudice in more than one form.

Chubby Tracy Turnblad is a teenager who loves to dance.  She and her friend Penny religiously watch The Corny Collins Show, a local teen dance program.  When Tracy learns the show is auditioning for a dancer, she is determined to win that place.  At the audition, Tracy meets teenage heartthrob Link Larkin, a regular on the show.  Now Tracy is more determined than ever to win the audition.

Velma Von Tussle, the arrogant mother of Amber, the princess of The Corny Collins Show, rejected Tracy, though.  Velma says Tracy is too fat to be a dancer.  That doesn’t thwart Tracy, however.  She turns to black dancer Seaweed to teach her some new steps and uses them to impress Corny Collins enough to get him to offer a place on his show.

All is not smooth sailing from there, though.  When Tracy realizes black teens are not allowed on the show, she leads her friends and family on a march against the TV station and lands them in jail.  The action continues non-stop throughout the rest of the show, speaking up for the rights of those who suffer discrimination because they are different.

This show is filled with bouncy, 60’s music that gets the theatre rocking. It brings back the joys of the old-fashioned musical comedies. Plenty of do-wop in this bubbly musical. The lyrics are meaningful and filled with humor and the tunes are guaranteed to stick in your memory.

Hairspray is a mustn’t miss musical that is on tour now. If you have the opportunity to find theater tickets to this show, jump on it. This fun filled musical will brighten your day with its rocking rhythms and sassy cast. It delivers a message in a most memorable way, while providing you with nonstop entertainment. Come join Tracy, Link, Penny and the others and escape to a world of happy endings.