HAIRSPRAY delivers big laughs,
catchy tunes, and bodacious hair

The 2006–2007 touring Broadway roster at the Center for the Performing Arts continues March 2 to 4 with three evening and two matinee performances of a musical comedy that could have only been inspired by the quirky imagination of Baltimore’s cult movie auteur John Waters. HAIRSPRAY, based on Waters’ 1988 film and winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, is about a big girl with an even bigger heart, bold dreams, and bouffant hair.

The musical comedy takes audiences back to 1962 Baltimore, where the 1950s are a black-and-white memory and change is in the air. Tracy Turnblad sets out to dance her way onto The Corny Collins Show, a popular local TV program.

Overnight, the 16-year-old is transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do?

This mega-hit is piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance—and enough deliriously tuneful new songs to fill a nonstop platter party. “If life were everything it should be,” writes a New York Times reviewer, “it would be more like HAIRSPRAY.”

HAIRSPRAY premiered in June 2002 at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre. Two months later it opened on Broadway. Waters, who wrote and directed the New Line Cinema film, served as creative consultant for the stage musical.

Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan wrote the book for HAIRSPRAY. Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman, who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the animated musical South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, created the original score. Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote the lyrics.

The touring production of HAIRSPRAY, produced by NETworks Presentations, has garnered upbeat reviews around the country.

“The best musicals—from Oklahoma! to Chicago—take you to places that aren’t real but feel like they should be. Quirky HAIRSPRAY is in that company, holding you firmly in its soft embrace,” writes a reviewer for The Patriot News of Harrisburg.

“The show looks great and it sounds great, and the youthful company is brimming with energy and talent to spare,” notes a critic for the Kansas City Star.

“You’d have to be snorting Aquanet not to be completely charmed by it,” a Wisconsin State Journal writer insists.

This production is based on Jack O’Brien’s original direction and Jerry Mitchell’s original choreography, recreated by Matt Lenz and Danny James Austin, respectively. David Rockwell did the scenic design. William Ivey Long designed the costumes. Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller handled lighting design, while Shannon Slaton did the sound design. Paul Huntley designed the wigs and hair. Lon Hoyt is the musical supervisor.

Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or local expert, is offered in Eisenhower Auditorium one hour before each performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints regularly fills to capacity. Seating is available on a first-arrival basis.