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Al Terry
Performance Reviews
Broadway
United States
New York City
New York
New York, NY

Hairspray

by Al Terry
December 15, 2007
New York, NY
This Broadway musical is based on John Waters film "Hairspray". It is about an oversized girl who dreams big. The director of this hit Broadway show is Jack O'Brien and the choreographer is Jerry Mitchell. The book is by Mark O'Donnell and Tom Meehan. The music is by Marc Shaiman who won both a Tony and a Grammy Award for his efforts and the lyrics are by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Scenic Design is by David Rockwell and the Sound Design is by Steve C. Kennedy. The Costume Design is by William Ivey Long and the Lighting Design is by Kenneth Posner. George Wendt stars as Edna Turnblad, Shannon Durig plays Tracy Turnblad, Ashley Parker Angel stars as Link Larkin and Lance Bass makes his debut as Corny Collins.

The story is set in 1962 and is about a teenager Tracy Turnblad who is not very popular in fact she is a social outcast. The girl has but one ambition, she wants to have the chance to dance in the popular TV dance show, the Corny Collins Show. Luckily for her dream comes true and she gets to become a star herself. From being an outcast she is transformed into a celebrity whom everybody is crazy about. It is up to her to outperform her arch rival the reigning beauty queen and to somehow try and win the love of Link Larkin, her love. The show premiered in 2002 and was an instant success. It won 8 Tony Awards including the award for the Best Musical. The musical also won seven Drama Desk awards and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for the Best Musical. It was also awarded three Outer Critics' Circle awards as well as the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical. The original cast was brilliant but the replacements have been doing justice to their roles too.

The show is incredibly entertaining being complimented by the incredible music scored by Marc Shaiman which makes the audience wish they could get back to the 60s. The music is so good it is no wonder that it earned so many distinguished awards; it leaves the audience craving for more after the curtain closes. The dance in the show has incorporated almost all the dance styles of the 60s. The show also deals with the racial tension during the 60s. The story is about tolerance, acceptance and understanding. The sets have been colorfully designed taking one back in time in Baltimore. Despite the fact that it has been running since 2002 it is still a hit with fans and critics alike. Most people love the romance between Tracy's parents and consider the song "Timeless to Me" as one of the finest moments.

So if you are planning a relaxing evening with your family and loved ones you may just have hilarious fun by enjoying this musical on Broadway. It is playing in the Neil Simon Theater and has duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. Please note that children under 4 are not allowed. So go ahead make plans for an entertaining evening and book your tickets with an authorized ticket broker.

Al is the webmaster of a Wicked Tickets review and information site.
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