At first, that just means making space for plus-size gals like herself eventually it extends to integrating the program for her African-American friends. Set in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1962, 'Hairspray' is the tale of the irrepressible Tracy Turnblad, who is committed to breaking down barriers on 'The Corny Collins Show', a local TV platform for dancing teens. And this version, broadcast live on NBC in December 2016, is among the most enjoyable live-TV musicals in recent memory. Here’s what you need to know.įor sheer bubblegum musical-theater joy, it's hard to beat 'Hairspray', one of the best film-to-musical adaptations in Broadway history. The production had musical direction by Lon Hoyt, sets by Derek McLane, costumes by Mary Vogt, sound by Tom Davis, and lighting by Allen Branton.The Shows Must Go On! – the run of free musicals on YouTube that began as an Andrew Lloyd Webber marathon – continues tonight, and this week’s production is ‘Hairspray Live!’ – with a cast featuring none other than pop superstar Ariana Grande. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are the songwriters. Fierstein penned the screenplay from Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell's book (based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters). Spritzer).ĭirected by Kenny Leon with Alex Rudzinski directing for television, the live telecast was produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron with Jerry Mitchell reprising his Broadway choreography. Pinky), Andrea Martin (Prudy Pingleton), Rosie O'Donnell (Gym Teacher), Ephraim Sykes (Seaweed), Shahadi Wright Joseph (Little Inez), Billy Eichner (Rob Barker), and Paul Vogt (Mr. Newcomer Maddie Baillio and Tony winner Harvey Fierstein lead the cast as Tracy Turnblad and Edna Turnblad, along with Garrett Clayton (Link Larkin), Ariana Grande (Penny Pingleton), Dove Cameron (Amber Von Tussle), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Derek Hough (Corny Collins), Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Sean Hayes (Mr. It will stream for 48 hours beginning at 2pm ET on Friday, May 29. NBC's 2016 broadcast of Hairspray Live! will stream for free this weekend via the Shows Must Go On YouTube channel.

How to watch hairspray live