Hairspray
A Big Fat Gorgeous Hit
New York Times
Why see Hairspray?
I Can Hear The Bells!
Can you hear the bells? That's the sound of this musical juggernaut making its way to the San Francisco Playhouse! A fantastically buoyant and joyful celebration of positivity, inclusivity, and majestic hair-do set in 1962, Hairspray is a spirit-lifting hit the whole family will love! Originally finding life in celluloid with John Waters's unforgettable 1988 cult-hit, Hairspray finally made it to the stage in 2002 and has never looked back. The winner of eight Tony Awards, its full-hearted story, plucky heroine, and delicious soundtrack make this one an unmissable instant classic.
What is Hairspray About?
Welcome to the 60s! Change is on the horizon and the civil rights movement is gaining strength. Baltimore's Tracy Turnbald is a big girl, with big hair and an even bigger dream; to be a dancer on the Corny Collins Show. With new friends in unlikely places, Tracy's optimism and determination helps her to fulfil this dream, but of course - it won't come easy.
Along with a full-hearted story, Hairspray is piled bouffant high with glowing soundtracks which features tracks 'I Can Hear The Bells', 'Good Morning Baltimore' and 'You Can't Stop The Beat' which make this musical an unmissable instant classic.
Cast
- Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) as Edna Turnblad
- Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad
- Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle
- Charlie Bryant III as Seaweed J. Stubbs
- Nick Cortazzo as Link Larkin
- Ralph Prentice Daniel as Wilbur Turnblad
- Billy Dawson as Corny Collins
- Ryahn Evers as Amber Von Tussle
- Addison Garner as Velma Von Tussle
- Emery Henderson as Penny Pingleton
- Joi D. McCoy at Little Inez
- Sydney Archibald as Peaches, Dynamite
- Kelly Barberito as Tammy
- Tommy Betz as Fender
- Helene Britany as Shelley
Further cast
Caroline Eiseman, Melanie Puente Ervin, Craig First, Alex Fullerton, Annie Gagen, Carly Haig, Lauren Johnson, Sabrina Joseph, Greg Kalafatas, Kyle Kavully, Matthew J. Kelly, Mclaine Meachem, Faith Northcutt, Nicholas Dion Reese, Sage, Micah Sauvageau, Clint Maddox Thompson, Jade Turner, Mickey White and Emmanuelle Zeesman
Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.
Creative
- Directed by Jack O'Brien
- Choreography by Danny James Austin
- Scenic Design by David Rockwell
- Costume Design by William Ivey Long
- Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner
- Sound Design by Shannon Slaton
- Lyrics by Mark Shaiman & Scott Wittman
- Music by Marc Shaiman
- Book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan
Awards
2008 Olivier Awards
- Best New Musical
- Best Actor in a Musical - Micahel Ball
- Best Actress in a Musical - Leanne Jones
- Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Tracie Bennett
Nominations
- Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Elinor Collett
- Best Director - Jack O'Brien
- Best Theatre Choreographer - Jerry Mitchell
- Best Set Design - David Rockwell
- Best Costume Design - William Ivey Long
- Best Lighting Design - Kenneth Posner
- Best Sound Design - Steve C. Kennedy
2003 Theatre World Award
- Jackie Hoffman
- Marissa Jaret Winokur
2003 Drama Desk Awards
- Outstanding Musical
- Outstanding Book of a Musical - Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
- Outstanding Orchestrations - Harold Wheeler
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Harvey Fierstein
- Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Dick Latessa
- Outstanding Lyrics - Scott Wittman and March Shaiman
- Outstanding Music - Marc Shaiman
- Outstanding Director - Jack O'Brien
- Outstanding Costume Design -William Ivey Long
Nominations
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Corey Reynolds
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Kerry Butler
- Outstanding Choreography - Jerry Mitchell
- Outstanding Set Design - David Rockwell
2003 Tony Awards
- Best Musical
- Best Original Score - March Shaiman and Scott Wittman
- Best Direction of a Musical - Jack O'Brien
- Best Book of a Musical - Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
- Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical - Harvey Fierstein
- Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical - Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical - Dick Latessa
- Best Costume Design - William Ivey Long
Nominations
- Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical - Corey REynolds
- Best Choreography - Jerry Mitchell
- Best Orchestrations - Harold Wheeler
- Best Scenic Design - David Rockwell
- Best Lighting Design - Kenneth Posner
Reviews
Customer reviews
Dan Urban
Fantastic…except for the seats
This experience was fantastic. Cast was amazing. First time at Orpheum. Won’t be back. I’m 6’2” and the seating was cramped and uncomfortable. Add in that the dicks behind me kept kicking my seat and it took away a star for me. But the show itself was great. ... Read more
Paulette Bonafonté Parcelle
Welcome BACK to 1962 Hairspray The Musical
Saw the show tonite May 17, 2023 and it was wonderful- funny- relevant- and heart-warming with great singing and dancing! Nina West was wonderful as Edna Turnblad, , as were the actors who played Wilber, Tracy, Link, Penny, and Seaweed! And the Dynamites and Motormouth Mabel were fantastic!! The sound however was a problem at times with crackling, volume, and mics going in/out- seems to be a tech/engineer issue, not a performer one. It was a wonderful night at the Dolby in LA! ... Read more
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