Hairspray is an American musical with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on John Waters's 1988 film of the same name. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show's integration. The musical opened in Seattle in 2002 and moved to Broadway later that year. In 2003 Hairspray won eight Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical, out of 13 nominations. It ran for 2,642 performances, and closed on January 4, 2009. Hairspray has also had national tours, a West End production, and numerous foreign productions and was adapted as a 2007 musical film.
| Music | Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman |
| Lyrics | Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman |
| Book | Mark O'Donnell, Thomas Meehan |
| Basis | Hairspray, by John Waters |
| Productions | 2002 Seattle, 2002 Broadway, 2003 US tour, 2008 West End, 2010 UK tour, 2013 UK tour, 2015 UK tour, 2017 UK tour, 2021 West End revival |
About Hairspray the Musical
Based on the 1988 film directed by John Waters, this play tells the story of a teenager who earns her dream role on a local TV show.
Achievement of Hairspray the Musical
The TV show in the musical is based on the real life teen dance show The Buddy Deane Show, which aired in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Hairspray the Musical
Civil rights movement in popular culture - The history of the 1954 to 1968 American civil rights movement has been depicted and documented in film, song, theater, television, and the visual arts.. John Waters.. Musicals by Thomas Meehan (writer).. Critics' Circle Theatre Award-winning musicals.. Laurence Olivier Award-winning musicals.. Musicals by Marc Shaiman.. Musicals by Scott Wittman.. Plays set in Maryland.. Tony Award for Best Musical.. Culture of Baltimore.. Rock musicals.. Musicals based on films.. West End musicals.
Latest information about Hairspray the Musical updated on July 28 2021.
