Hairspray (musical)

Hairspray is a celebrated American musical that explores themes of social change through music and dance. The production features a score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The book was written by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. This stage version is based on the 1988 film by director John Waters. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the story centers on a teenager named Tracy Turnblad. Tracy dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, a local television program. This fictional show was inspired by the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

The musical uses specific musical styles to build its world. The songs consist of 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. These genres help recreate the energetic atmosphere of the early 1960s. One of the first songs created for the show was "Good Morning Baltimore." Another critical piece is the song "I Know Where I've Been." This song was inspired by a scene from the original film set in a Black neighborhood. The creators chose to give this powerful "eleven o'clock number" to the Black family. They wanted to ensure the story did not treat Black characters as mere background. Instead, they used the song to highlight the heart of the struggle for integration.

The development of the musical involved many creative steps. Producer Margo Lion first conceived the idea in 1998. She contacted John Waters to receive his blessing for the project. Lion then worked with Shaiman and Wittman to develop the music. To test their ideas, they hired singer Annie Golden to record a demo. This demo included three songs to help establish the show's tone. The team also included director Jack O'Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. They worked to bring the vision of a vibrant, changing Baltimore to the stage.

Casting played a vital role in the identity of the production. Marissa Jaret Winokur was chosen to play the lead role of Tracy Turnblad. She spent two years preparing with intensive voice and dance lessons. During this time, she also navigated a personal health struggle with cervical cancer. She underwent a successful hysterectomy to continue her work on the project. For the role of Edna Turnblad, the production followed a tradition from the film. They cast a man in the role, which was played by Harvey Fierstein on Broadway. Fierstein won a Tony Award for his performance in this part.

Hairspray achieved massive success upon its Broadway debut. The production opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on August 15, 2002. It was a major critical success, earning 13 Tony Award nominations. The musical won eight awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Direction. The original Broadway production was a long-running hit. It completed 2,642 performances before closing on January 4, 2009. This long run helped cement its place in modern musical theater history.

The show also found great success in international markets. The West End production opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London in 2007. This production earned 11 Laurence Olivier Award nominations. It won four awards, including Best New Musical. In Australia, the production used modern technology to enhance the experience. The 2010 Australian production featured enormous LED screens. These screens displayed animated landscapes that interacted with the characters on stage. This helped create a visually dynamic environment for the dancers.

Beyond the main stages, Hairspray has existed in many different forms. There have been various national tours across the United States. One tour even included a "casino version" that removed the character of Lorraine. The show has also had sit-down engagements in cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing. In 2007, the musical was adapted into a new film. These many versions show how the story's message of togetherness remains relevant. Whether through a massive Broadway stage or a touring company, the musical continues to connect audiences through the joy of dance.