Opening Summary
Hairspray first opened on Broadway in 2002 and was an instant hit, running for over 2,500 performances before closing in 2009. Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Hairspray takes place in 1960s Baltimore and focuses on plus-sized teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream of dancing on a local TV dance show. With catchy musical numbers, lovable characters, and a message of inclusivity and equality, Hairspray was a breath of fresh air for Broadway at the time.
In the 20 years since its debut, Hairspray has remained one of the most beloved and feel-good musicals of the 21st century. Its high energy dancing, spectacular costumes, and toe-tapping soundtrack have helped it stand the test of time. While some may argue it’s too simplistic or saccharine, most critics and audiences praise Hairspray as a funny, heartwarming show that radiates joy and acceptance. For these reasons, Hairspray absolutely stands as one of the great modern Broadway musicals.
Story and Themes
The story of Hairspray focuses on Tracy Turnblad, a bubbly, overweight teenager living in 1960s Baltimore who loves to dance. Despite being routinely mocked and bullied for her size, Tracy remains optimistic and determined to follow her dreams. When she learns about The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program, she becomes obsessed with being on it. After auditioning and impressing the host Corny Collins, Tracy earns a featured spot on the show, much to the dismay of the reigning queen bee Amber Von Tussle.
From there, the musical follows Tracy’s new life in the spotlight and her mission to integrate the all-white Corny Collins Show, bringing black and white teenagers together through dance. This coincides with her campaign to promote plus-size women’s visibility in the entertainment industry. Alongside her quirky, supportive parents Edna and Wilbur, Tracy takes on Amber and her producer mother Velma’s attempts to thwart her integration efforts. Ultimately, Tracy’s vivacious charm and steadfast morals win over her skeptics, uniting her community and ushering in a new era of open-mindedness on television.
Hairspray touches on several important and timely themes that contribute to its lasting popularity and acclaim, including:
– Racial Integration – Tracy’s crusade to integrate the Corny Collins Show was especially bold for the 1960s time period. While school segregation ended in 1954, many television shows and facets of society remained divided along color lines. Tracy’s campaign for diversity on TV broke boundaries.
– Body Positivity – As an overweight teenager, Tracy faced cruelty for her size. Her confidence and insistence on being seen helped pave the way for more inclusion of marginalized body types in arts and media.
– Female Empowerment – With characters like Tracy, Edna, and Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray depicts women as forces for positive change. It emphasizes their strength and capabilities.
– Acceptance – The overarching theme of the show is about accepting yourself and others for who they are. Tracy and her diverse friends come together to spread a message of openness.
Music and Choreography
No Broadway musical can succeed without standout music and choreography. On these fronts, Hairspray soars with an upbeat soundtrack and high-energy dance numbers courtesy of composer/lyricist duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
The musical’s score pays homage to the pop sounds of the 1960s, with influences of girl groups, R&B, and rock and roll. The music ranges from swinging beats on songs like “The Nicest Kids in Town” to Motown-style melodies in “Run and Tell That.” Showstoppers include “Welcome to the ’60s,” Tracy’s anthem “Good Morning Baltimore,” and Civil Rights torch song “I Know Where I’ve Been.”
Famous choreographer Jerry Mitchell brought the dances in Hairspray to life. The signature moves infuse styles like the Mashed Potato, Madison, and Hitchhike with 1960s flair. Quick costume changes happen seamlessly to transition the Corny Collins dancers between numbers. Mitchell’s choreography expertly captures the youthful spirit and boundary-pushing culture of the 60s.
Overall, Hairspray’s unforgettable music and electric choreography meld together to create a vivid world and enhance Tracy’s underdog story. The songs and dances have earned numerous accolades, including Tony Awards for Best Musical, Score, and Choreography.
Set Design
In addition to its music and dancing, Hairspray wows audiences with its high-concept scenic design by David Rockwell. The set must seamlessly transition between various 1960s Baltimore locations, from Tracy’s modest apartment to the WYZT TV studio to the Tilted Acres amusement park.
Rockwell met this challenge by employing a versatile two-story wire framework as the backbone of the set. By rotating portions of the frame and flying in various façades, the set morphs to establish new scenes and settings. For example, Tracy’s apartment pops out from the framework, while neon signs and a broadcast desk dress the stage for the TV studio scenes.
Other highlights include:
– The giant hairspray can that descends during the opening number to set the lighthearted, campy tone.
– Brightly colored boxes that quadruple as apartment units, high school lockers, and a picket fence.
– An old-fashioned candy shop with display counters.
– The amusement park scene featuring a Ferris wheel and funhouse mirrors.
Rockwell’s innovative set design allows audiences to fully immerse in Hairspray’s 1960s world. The scene changes happen smoothly through stage rotations and prop shifts, keeping up the energy and fun. The bright colors and smooth transitions enhance the musical’s underlying themes by fluidly connecting the white and black communities of Baltimore.
Costume Design
No musical set in the 1960s would be complete without spectacular costumes. For Hairspray, famed designer William Ivey Long created over two hundred eye-popping outfits that perfectly encapsulate the fashion trends of the period.
The characters’ clothing plays a central role in establishing their personalities and backgrounds. For example, Tracy’s full-skirted day dresses and cardigans exude innocence, while Mean Girl Amber oozes glamour and sophistication in her figure-hugging pencil skirts and fox fur stoles.
Some standout costume moments include:
– The gigantic hair bows and heavy bangs of Tracy and her best friend Penny.
– Edna’s vibrant, patterned house dresses made for mobility while dancing.
– Link Larkin’s leather jacket, pegged pants and glistening pompadour as the resident hearthrob.
– Motormouth Maybelle’s voluminous dresses, reflective of black beauty and pride.
– The Corny Collins dancers’ matching outfits during the TV broadcasts.
Through his meticulous 1960s fashion research, Long created a kaleidoscope of memorable looks that bolster the characters and help transport the audience. The costumes earned Long a well-deserved Tony award for best costume design.
Casting
An excellent musical requires triple threat performers who can act, sing, and dance with high energy. Throughout its run, Hairspray has been blessed with dynamite casts brimming with talent.
The original Broadway production starred newcomer Marissa Jaret Winokur as Tracy, with Harvey Fierstein as her mother Edna. Winokur’s infectious spirit and booming vocals made her a standout as the lovable heroine. Meanwhile, Fierstein brought heart to the role of Tracy’s self-conscious, doting mother.
Other original cast standouts included Dick Latessa as Wilbur, Corey Reynolds as Seaweed J. Stubbs, and Linda Hart as Motormouth Maybelle. Celebrities like Jackie Hoffman, Matthew Morrison, and Laura Bell Bundy would also cycle through the production in various roles over the years.
Later notable cast members in the 2007 Broadway revival included Tony winners Beth Leavel and Marissa Jaret Winokur reprising her career-defining role of Tracy. An all-star casting special in 2016 at the Hollywood Bowl also united the talents of Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short, and more.
Thanks to creative casting and incredible performers, Hairspray has never lacked star power or talent. Finding actors with comedic timing, stellar singing chops, and fluid dancing has allowed the show to shine.
Impact on Society
Aside from entertaining audiences, Hairspray made significant impacts on greater society during its run and beyond. Its progressive themes challenged people’s attitudes and drove important conversations about equality.
Most notably, Hairspray helped advance the public discourse around body image and size-based discrimination. Tracy’s confident plus-size presence as the heroine was unfortunately rare at the time. Her storyline confronted common biases and naysayers. For many viewers, the show represented the first time seeing a leading lady who looked like them.
Hairspray also kept racial integration at the forefront of pop culture in the early 2000s. While schools had been ordered to desegregate decades earlier, many communities remained divided. Tracy’s bold efforts to mix black and white teenagers on TV highlighted the ongoing need for inclusion. It helped popularize the notion that diversity and harmony can be achieved through the unifying powers of music and dance.
The show also provided more visibility for LGBTQ issues through characters like Edna Turnblad. Tracy’s unwavering love for her mother, despite Edna not conforming to feminine norms of the era, modeled acceptance.
For its efforts to push social boundaries and spread positivity, Hairspray earned recognition from groups like GLAAD and the NAACP. Through comedy and song, the show succeeded in promoting human rights in a powerful yet entertaining way. The impact can be seen today in the body positive movement and increased diversity in film/TV.
Accolades
In recognition of its excellence, Hairspray racked up major accolades over the course of its Broadway run, including:
– 8 Tony Awards in 2003, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book of a Musical, and more. It received a total of 13 nominations.
– 7 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Actor, Actress, and more.
– Touring production winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2008.
– Ranked as the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.
– The original cast recording album went platinum.
– Named as one of the best Broadway shows of all time by publications like Time Magazine and The New York Times.
– Cemented as critics and crowds favorite for its joyful spirit and toe-tapping numbers. Maintained popularity with revival shows.
The overwhelming recognition from Tony voters, critics circles, and audiences alike proves Hairspray has secured its status as a bonafide Broadway smash. Its spot among the greatest Broadway musicals seems firmly cemented.
Weaknesses and Critiques
While beloved by many, Hairspray is not without its critiques and weaknesses according to some viewers and reviewers. Among the most common complaints:
– The show’s upbeat tone sometimes comes across as saccharine and overly simplified. The 1960s battles for equality had more nuance.
– Tracy’s family and friends are portrayed as nearly universally supportive, which minimizes the discrimination she likely would have faced as a plus-size dancer.
– The racial integration storyline borrows heavily from prior entertainment like Grease and limits the perspectives shown within the Black community.
– The score, while catchy, lacks variety between rock n’ roll and pop. The lyrics sometimes come across as trite.
– While entertaining, the plot follows standard underdog tropes without much complexity.
– The message of personal acceptance excludes those who don’t find empowerment through fame or conventional attractiveness like Tracy.
These critiques argue Hairspray shies away from the darker realities of 1960s bigotry. However, proponents note the musical aims for uplift over gritty realism. The simplicity and camp allow the show to appeal to broad audiences.
Major Award Nominations and Wins
Here is a summary of Hairspray’s major award nominations and wins throughout its Broadway run:
2003 Tony Awards
Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|
Best Musical | Hairspray | Won |
Best Book of a Musical | Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan | Won |
Best Original Score | Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman | Won |
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Harvey Fierstein | Won |
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Marissa Jaret Winokur | Won |
Best Choreography | Jerry Mitchell | Won |
Best Direction of a Musical | Jack O’Brien | Won |
Best Orchestrations | Harold Wheeler | Won |
Best Costume Design | William Ivey Long | Won |
With 8 wins out of 13 nominations, Hairspray dominated the 2003 Tonys. This overwhelming success kicked off its reputation as a critical darling.
2007 Tony Awards
The musical received 7 Tony nominations for its 2007 revival production:
Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|
Best Revival of a Musical | Hairspray | Nominated |
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Bruce Vilanch | Nominated |
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Marissa Jaret Winokur | Nominated |
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | John Pinette | Nominated |
Best Costume Design | William Ivey Long | Nominated |
Best Direction of a Musical | Jack O’Brien | Nominated |
While the revival did not win any Tonys, the nominations demonstrated the continued popularity and acclaim for the show.
Other Awards
– 7 Drama Desk Award wins in 2003 for Outstanding Musical and more.
– Touring production’s Laurence Olivier Award win for Best New Musical in 2008.
– Hollywood Bowl production won Best Musical at the 2017 Broadway World LA Awards.
– Original Broadway cast recording nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Album.
Legacy
Based on its awards, reception, and cultural impact, Hairspray leaves behind an outstanding legacy as one of the most successful and beloved Broadway musicals of the 2000s. It represents a major milestone for wider inclusion and positivity in entertainment.
From its unforgettable soundtrack to lovable characters, Hairspray created an experience that resonated with audiences for its entire 7 year run. It also launched the careers of new talents like Marissa Jaret Winokur. The show continues influencing modern Broadway’s focus on diversity and acceptance.
Revivals and concert productions ensure new generations have the chance to do the Hairspray twist. For these reasons, Hairspray seems destined to remain a high point in Broadway history for years to come. Tracy Turnblad’s story of dancing against the odds to bring people together will continue inspiring audiences everywhere to let their spirit and individuality shine.