Hairspray Fun Facts
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Hairspray
As plus-sized teenager Tracy Turnblad lies in bed, she dreams about her desire to be famous in 1960s Baltimore. After school, Tracy rushes home to catch the local teenage dance show, “The Corny Collins Show.” Tracy auditions for the show and bumps into teenage heartthrob Link Larkin. Velma Von Tussle, the producer of “The Corny Collins Show,” rejects Tracy from the audition because of her size. Undaunted, Tracy uses her dance skills at the Sophomore Hop the following day to introduce herself to Corny Collins. When Corny sees how well Tracy can dance, he gives her a place on the show. Velma is distraught and becomes determined to ruin Tracy, who grows more and more troubled by the fact that “The Corny Collins Show” is only open to African-Americans once a month. After a protest march lands them in jail, she and her friends devise a plan to help integrate the show – on the day of the “Miss Teenage Hairspray” competition. Can Tracy dethrone the program’s reigning princess, unify the show’s dance floor and find true love without denting her ’do?
2003 Tony® Awards
13 Nominations, 8 Wins
Best Musical (Winner)
Best Book of a Musical (Winner)
Best Original Score (Winner)
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Winner)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Winner)
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Winner and additional nominee)
Best Costume Design (Winner)
Best Direction of a Musical (Winner)
Best Scenic Design (Nominee)
Best Lighting Design (Nominee)
Best Choreography (Nominee)
Best Orchestration (Nominee)
2003 Drama Desk Awards
14 Nominations, 9 Wins
Outstanding New Musical (Winner)
Outstanding Book of a Musical (Winner)
Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Winner)
Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Winner)
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Winner and additional nominee)
Outstanding Director of a Musical (Winner)
Outstanding Lyrics (Winner)
Outstanding Music (Winner)
Outstanding Costume Design (Winner)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Nominee)
Outstanding Choreography (Nominee)
Outstanding Orchestrations (Nominee)
Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Nominee)
1. CLO Alumnus and Pittsburgh native Rob Marshall was originally tabbed to direct the musical version of Hairspray but had to bow out because of a prior commitment to direct the film adaptation of “Chicago.”
2. Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester on the hit TV show “Glee,” originated the role of Link Larkin on Broadway.
3. Laura Bell Bundy originated the role of Amber Von Tussle on Broadway. She also originated the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical.
4. Michael Ball, who originated the role of Marius in the original London production of Les Misérables, played Edna Turnblad in the run of Hairspray on London’s West End, winning an Olivier Award for Best Actor.
5. The musical was based on the 1988 film by John Waters, which included a cast featuring Ricki Lake, Sonny Bono, Debbie Harry and Divine.
6. The 2007 film from director Adam Shankman – also known from his work as a judge for “So You Think You Can Dance” and as a producer for the 2010 Academy Awards – starred John Travolta and went on to become the fourth highest-grossing musical film in history behind “Grease,” “Chicago” and “Mamma Mia!” A sequel to the movie musical is in development. Shankman is returning to direct and John Waters is writing the story.
Good Morning Baltimore
The Nicest Kids in Town
Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now
I Can Hear the Bells
(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs
The Madison
The Nicest Kids in Town (Reprise)
It Takes Two
Velma’s Revenge
Welcome to the ’60s
Run and Tell That!
Big, Blonde, and Beautiful
The Big Dollhouse
Good Morning Baltimore (Reprise)
(You’re) Timeless to Me
Without Love
I Know Where I’ve Been
(It’s) Hairspray
Cooties
You Can’t Stop the Beat
Hairspray - 2010 London West End Production