HAIRSPRAY revels in groovy
dances, outlandish ’dos of 1962
The touring Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY, the musical comedy that won eight Tony Awards in 2003 and inspired a major motion picture, comes to Penn State for one performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this smash hit piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance—and a bevy of tuneful songs.
HAIRSPRAY, which opened on Broadway in 2002, is set in 1962. The 1950s are out, and change is in the air. Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion—to dance. The teenager wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show, and overnight is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.
But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the affection of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show—all without denting her hairdo? A plot synopsis appears below.
“If life were everything it should be,” insists a New York Times reviewer, “it would be more like Hairspray. It’s irresistible!”
HAIRSPRAY, which is still running on Broadway after more than 2,400 performances, is based on a 1988 New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the stage adaptation. It features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and an original score of 1960s-style dance music and traditional rhythm and blues by Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman, who also wrote the lyrics with Scott Wittman.
A film version of the stage musical, which opened in 2007, stars John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, and Nikki Blonsky. The movie features songs from the Broadway musical, plus four additional Shaiman/Wittman tunes written for the screen. It is the fourth-highest grossing musical movie—behind Grease, Chicago, and Mamma Mia!—in U.S. cinema history.
Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring members of the HAIRSPRAY touring company, is offered in Eisenhower Auditorium one hour before the performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints regularly fills to capacity. Seating is available on a first-arrival basis.
HAIRSPRAY
7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23
Eisenhower Auditorium
Adult $55, $49
University Park Student $40, $34
18 and Younger $50, $44
HAIRSPRAY synopsis
Act I
As pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad lies in bed, she muses about her hometown, her love of dancing, and her desire to be famous [“Good Morning Baltimore”]. After school, Tracy rushes home with best friend Penny to watch “The Nicest Kids in Town” on The Corny Collins Show. Edna, Tracy’s shy and plus-sized mother, who is ironing clothes, complains about the noise of the music coming from the television, while Penny’s mother complains about it being “race” music. After learning the show is looking for new talent, Tracy pleads with her mother for permission to audition. Edna, fearing Tracy will be laughed at due to her weight, refuses. Penny and Amber have similar arguments with their mothers (“Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now”). After gaining permission from her father, Wilbur, Tracy auditions for the show and bumps into teenage heartthrob Link Larkin, which leads to a dream sequence [“I Can Hear the Bells”]. Velma Von Tussle rejects Tracy from the audition because of her size [“(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs”].
Back at school, Tracy is sent to detention because her hair is obstructing views of the blackboard. There she meets Seaweed, who teaches her several dance moves. The next day she uses the new dance steps to introduce herself to Corny Collins at the Sophomore Hop. Later, she integrates the moves into a dance during the scene transition. Corny, who sees how well Tracy can dance, gives her a place on the show [“The Nicest Kids in Town (Reprise)”]. Corny suggests that Link sing “It Takes Two” on-the-air to Tracy, who quickly accepts—much to Amber’s dismay. After the show, Mr. Spritzer, the show’s sponsor, appeals to Velma who has threatened to fire Corny over Tracy. A distraught Velma is determined to ruin Tracy [“Velma’s Revenge”]. At the Turnblad house, Edna is receiving calls from fans who saw Tracy on the show. A call comes from Mr. Pinky, owner of the plus-size dress shop Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway—Quality Clothes for Quantity Gals, who wants to hire Tracy for an endorsement. Tracy pleads with her mother, who has not left her apartment in years, to come with her and act as an agent. Finally making it outside, Edna is given a complete makeover at the store [“Welcome to the ’60s”]. Tracy becomes the spokesperson for the shop.
Signs of Tracy’s fame are evident in the schoolyard, with graffiti on the walls and another girl sporting Tracy’s signature ’do. Link comforts Tracy after a game of dodge ball, in which Amber knocks Tracy unconscious. Penny and Seaweed, who have developed a liking for one another, return after having found the nurse out sick. Seaweed, suggesting that some fun might help Tracy feel better, invites all of them to Motormouth Maybelle’s Record Shop for a platter party [“Run and Tell That!”]. Tracy rallies everyone to march against the TV station because African Americans are not allowed on the show, except for the once-a-month Negro Day. Tracy is hurt and confused when Link decides he should not march because it could jeopardize his career. As they march against the station, they are arrested [“Big, Blonde, and Beautiful”].
Act II
Most of the girls and women are in “The Big Dollhouse.” Velma uses dirty tactics to convince the governor to pardon her and Amber. Wilbur bails out the remaining people, excluding Tracy who is forced to remain in jail because of Velma’s lies. Tracy, alone, wishes Link could be with her [“Good Morning Baltimore (Reprise)”]. Wilbur and Edna are depressed because Tracy is still in jail and it cost them so much to bail out everyone else. Edna sympathizes with her daughter’s dream; she had dreamed of making her own line of queen-size clothing. Edna and Wilbur reminisce about their past and how they can never be parted from each other [“(You're) Timeless to Me”].
During the night, Link sneaks into the jail to find Tracy in solitary confinement. Penny’s mother ties her up in her bedroom as punishment for going to the jail without permission, but Seaweed comes to rescue her. Both couples declare their love for one another [“Without Love”]. After escaping from their respective prisons, the couples seek refuge at Motormouth Maybelle’s Record Shop. Tracy thinks it’s unfair that after all their work, The Corny Collins Show is still segregated. They devise a plan to help integrate the show, and Motormouth recalls their long fight for equality [“I Know Where I’ve Been”].
On the day of the Miss Teenage Hairspray competition, Corny Collins starts the show with a song [“(It’s) Hairspray”]. Amber displays her talent in a bid to get more votes from the viewers [“Cooties”]. Just as the results are about to be announced, Tracy takes over the stage and is joined by Link, Penny (now transformed from drool to cool), Seaweed, Edna, Wilbur, Inez, and Motormouth [“You Can’t Stop the Beat”]. Tracy is announced as the winner of the competition, and Corny Collins declares The Corny Collins Show officially integrated. Mr. Spritzer runs on stage thrilled with the public’s response to the telecast. At the height of the moment, the company invites Amber and Velma to join the celebration.
