'HAIRSPRAY' Hits 2 Million Dollar Mark For BC/EFA

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray, and its star, Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, have passed the $2,000,000 mark in total dollars they have raised for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.  

The amount represents efforts that began when the show opened in 2002 through Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Mr. Fierstein, who has recently returned to his legendary role as 'Edna Turnblad' in the musical, hit the $2 million mark by auctioning to an audience member a single pair of autographed underwear ("pettipants") that 'Edna' wears in the show. 

During his years in the Broadway production, Fierstein has auctioned off 'Edna Turnblad' eyelashes, feather boas, hair-flowers, earrings, custom-recorded answering machine greetings, and, most memorably, a backstage dressing room meet-and-greet that fetched $5,000 from audience member Adam Sandler.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses. 

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 outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.  But 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 'do?  Only in Hairspray!  

Welcome to the '60s! Hairspray, which celebrated its sixth anniversary on Broadway in August 2008, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor, best actress, best featured actor, best score, best book, best director, and best costume design.  Hairspray also swept every one of the year's best musical awards, winning, in addition to the Tony, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Drama League Award. 

Hairspray will close at the Neil Simon Theatre after the performance on Sunday, January 4, 2009, after having played 2,641 performances and 31 previews.  Hairspray is the 19th longest running show in Broadway history and has currently grossed over $265 million during its Broadway run. 

For Hairspray ticket information, phone Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, or for group sales, phone 212-302-7000 or 800-677-1164.  

Hairspray offers the ShowTrans system for foreign-speaking audience members in the following languages: French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.  Same-day, lottery tickets are sold at the box office for seats in the first row of the orchestra.  

For more information about Hairspray, please consult the Hairspray website at www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.

Photo by Peter James Zielinski