September 11, 2007

Broadway hit 'Hairspray' to bring hairdos, heartthrobs to Purdue

'Hairspray'
Download photo
caption below

Purdue Convocations is presenting the performance as part of its Lively Arts series. It is the West Lafayette premiere of "Hairspray," said Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing.

After its acclaimed world premiere at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in June 2002, 'Hairspray' opened on Broadway in August 2002 to rave reviews, winning eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical," Nason said.

The reviews for "Hairspray" included "So many numbers bring down the house, it's a wonder the theater is still standing" from New York Magazine; the New York Post reviewer called it "a great big fat gorgeous hit;" and a writer from the New York Times said "If life were everything it should be, it would be more like 'Hairspray."

In "Hairspray" it's 1962 – the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program "The Corny Collins Show" and overnight is transformed from an outsider to an irrepressible teen celebrity.

But the question remains: can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a television show without denting her hairdo?

"Hairspray" is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman, who co-wrote the music for the animated musical "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," also wrote the play's original score.

This production of "Hairspray" is based on Jack O'Brien's original direction and Jerry Mitchell's original choreography, recreated by Matt Lenz and Danny James Austin, respectively. Scenic design is by David Rockwell, the set coordinator is Michael Allen, costume design is by William Ivey Long, lighting design is by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, the sound is by Shannon Slaton, wig and hair design is by Paul Huntley, and the musical supervisor is Lon Hoyt. NETworks Presentations is the producer of "Hairspray."

Tickets for the Purdue performance are $20-45 for adults and $20-32 for children 18 years old and younger, and Purdue and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at (765) 496-1977.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, (765) 494-5045, knason@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Publication-quality images from "Hairspray" are available at https://www.purdue.edu/convos/hairsprayimages.shtml

To the News Service home page