10 Reasons You Might Want To Watch Hairspray Live Tonight
Many of us are familiar with the story of Hairspray. We watched the movie with Ricki Lake and then the one with John Travolta. If we’re lucky we’ve seen it on Broadway. For those who have yet to see it, Hairspray is about a teenage girl named Tracy Turnblad, a slightly awkward and overweight teenage girl who wins a spot dancing on a local TV show in Baltimore in 1962.
Her appearance on the show leads her to launch a campaign to integrate the all-White program and becomes a local celebrity in the process. If it sounds interesting, and believe me, it is, you have a chance to check it out tonight live on NBC. If that intro didn’t convince you, here are some other reasons why you might want to check out tonight’s production.
Kenny Leon is directing
Kenny Leon is legendary in the industry and known as Broadway’s leading African American director. With credits like A Raisin in the Sun (the one starring Diddy, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald), Fences (with Viola and Denzel), and August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf, he is the man. Not to mention the fact that he won a Tony Award for Raisin with Denzel Washington and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. And after the success Leon had directing The Wiz Live last year, it only makes sense that NBC would tap him again to do it again with Hairspray Live
Harvey Fierstein… in drag
I have fond memories of Harvey Fierstein for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire. The comedic timing, that voice. He’s so memorable. And then last year, I met him during the press junket for The Wiz Live. And he was just as charming out of character. Turns out, Harvey was the one who wrote the play for the 2015 reboot. This time though he’s getting back out on stage to play the role of Edna Turnblad. Fierstein is not new to the role as he played Edna in the 2002 revival of the show. His portrayal of Edna won him a Tony so we should be in for a treat.
Martin Short
Martin Short is hilarious no matter what he’s doing. End of story. But tonight, he’ll take on the role of Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy’s father.
Ariana Grande can sing
There is a reason Solange likened this young lady to Mariah Carey. The girl has range for days. And when legends like Patti LaBelle, who is hardly inspired by anyone, she’s worth a listen. Tonight, she’ll be playing the role of Tracy’s best and only friend Penny Singleton.
We haven’t Seen Rosie in a minute
Rosie O’Donnell is coming through to play the role of the gym teacher who torments Tracy. We haven’t seen or heard from Rosie in a while and part of me is hoping her character makes some type of jab at Donald Trump.
Ephraim Sykes
Ephraim made his big break appearing in Broadway’s hottest ticket Hamilton since it opened in August 2015. Before that he starred in Motown the Musical, Memphis among others. Tonight he’ll play Seaweed J. Stubbs, the cool kids who becomes Tracy’s friend and teaches her a couple of new dance moves.
Shahadi Wright Joseph
Seaweed’s younger sister, Little Inez, will be played by child actor Shahadi Wright Joseph. Wright Joseph made history at 9 years old when she became the youngest actor to play the role of Young Nala in The Lion King. In 2015 she earned the role of Madison in Broadway’s School of Rock. Wright Joseph tries to audition for the televised dance show Tracy appears on but is turned away because she’s Black.
We Love Sean Hayes
That “Will and Grace” skit really had us pining for a reboot of that show. But until that happens, we can see Sean Hayes’ face tonight in Hairspray as he plays Mr. Pinky. He owns Mr. Pinky’s Hideaway and gives Tracy and chance to be the spokesperson for his boutique.
Ricki Lake is coming through
Rumor has it that Ricki Lake, who played the original Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film will be making a cameo appearance tonight. Be sure to look out for her.
