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. Eastern.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. Watch the musical event when Hairspray Live! airs on NBC Wednesday, Dec. Hairspray fans can listen to the special's soundtrack ahead of the premiere on Spotify or Apple Music. NBC has had success with their live showings thus far, as both The Sound of Music Live!and Peter Pan Live! were the most watched program the nights they aired, while The Wiz Live! t railed Thursday Night Football. Stubbs and Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad. Pinky, Derek Hough as Corny Collins, Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle, Shahadi Wright Joseph as Little Inez, Andrea Martin as Prudy Pingleton, Rosie O'Donnell as Health Ed Teacher, Ephraim Sykes as Seaweed J. T he NBC live special stars Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad, Dove Cameron as Amber Von Tussle, Kristin Chenoweth as Velma Von Tussle, Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin, Billy Eichner as Rob Barker, Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Ariana Grande as Penny Pingleton, Sean Hayes as Mr. We will have to wait until Wednesday to see whether NBC can capture the musical's magic, but with a star-studded cast and great source material, it is not unlikely that the network will lead the night. The musical production opened on Broadway in 2002 and topped the 57th Annual Tony Awards in 2003 with eight total wins.

A mildly successful remake, starring John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, was released in 2007. The Hairspray Broadway musical, on which the live special is based, is itself an adaptation of the 1988 film of the same name starring Ricki Lake.

How to watch hairspray live