You Can't Stop the Tweets! Broadway's Best and Brightest Weigh In on HAIRSPRAY LIVE!

Hey there, teenage Baltimore (and St. Louis, Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, New York, and pretty much every other city out there in America)! Don't change that channel!

'Cause every afternoon for just one night when the clock strikes four eight, you can shake it, shake it, shake with the nicest kids in town (and the best of Broadway!) during tonight's high-octane broadcast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE!

Yup... you can't stop the motion of the ocean or the rain from above, and you definitely can't stop the influx of tweets that will no doubt be pouring in throughout the duration of the live show!

As has become an annual tradition, everyone will no doubt be throwing in their two cents and chiming in on the action via Twitter.... and Broadway's best and brightest are certainly no exception!

(But, really... with the cast jam-packed with such Main Stem royalty as Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande, Martin Short and Jennifer Hudson - all topped off with a Tony-winning performance by the incomparable Harvey Fierstein.... and the mind-blowing powerhouse vocals of newcomer Maddie Baillio - why wouldn't the Broadway folk be inclined to tweet about fellow members of their community?!)

There's sure to be plenty to tweet about - taking a cue from FOX's GREASE: LIVE, this year's NBC telecast is pulling out all the stops, with flashy celebrity cameos (including a duo that may know a thing or two about "hearing the bells" themselves), the incorporation of a studio audience and an expanded outdoor playing space, allowing several numbers to be staged "full-out" on the Baltimore streets. (They've even recruited GREASE's television director, Alex Rudzinski, to guarantee perfection!!)

Plus, considering recent events, both in the theatre and out, this theatrical celebration of tolerance and equality is more timely than ever before.... so you'll want to be as up to date as you possibly can with all the chatter from the stars!

So, bring on that pecan pie, slice yourself a piece of that hog head cheese... and follow along with our real-time roundup of social media reactions from all your favorite Main Stem stars!!!

Which Broadway baby thinks which HAIRSPRAY cast member has the best costume? What do they think of the new approach to camera work? Which of the re-arranged Shaiman and Wittman tunes is the communal favorite? Does the saying, "the higher the hair, the closer to heaven" really prove to be true in the case of these actors? And then, of course... the million dollar question of the evening: does the Broadway Twitter-sphere think that Cheno - cast as Velma, HAIRSPRAY's baddie - has a chance to beat queen of side eye Laura Benanti at her own game?!

For all this (possibly - I really don't know what they're going to say!) and more, forget about your algebra and calculus (you can always do your homework on the morning bus) - and come join me LIVE right here, beginning around 7:30pm EST and continuing on through the end of the broadcast.

And in the meantime... (hey Mama, hey Mama) have some fun.. and leave your comments below, and share what you're most looking to during tonight's broadcast. Would love to hear your thoughts!!

Can't wait!! See y'all soon!!

Photo Credits: Brian Bowen Smith / NBC; Trae Patton / NBC

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7PM - PRE-SHOW

@SergioATrujillo: @jammyprod @marcshaiman @RickyASchroeder @ephskyes & Scott Whitman... knock 'em dead tonight!

@TyrahSkye1: Lion King Cubs are on fire lately! Break a leg to the entire cast of @nbchairspraylive, especially my cub sister @shahidiwrightjoseph. I can't wait to watch this incredible cast! The show is bound to be amazing!

@michaelurie: break legs tonight @craigzadan and @neilmeron - cannot WAIT for @HairsprayLive!!!

@ChrisRiceNY: I can't watch @HairsprayLive - LIVE due to my show, SO NO SPOILER TWEETS YOU GUYS! I don't wanna know how it ends!

@RoryOMalley: Break legs @hairspraylive!! I LOVE LIVE TV MUSICALS! #Hamilfam love to @ephsykes!! YOU ARE A STAR SIR! #HairsprayLive

@PattiMurin: Guys, this is like second Christmas. Seriously. I love these live musicals!!! #HairsprayLive

@johnnytartags: To the cast and crew of @HairsprayLive - go out there and kill it tonight! You guys are gonna shimmy and shake your way to glory!

8PM - GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE / NICEST KIDS IN TOWN / BIG GIRL NOW

@SierraBoggess: Here we go @HairsprayLive SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!

@PattiMurin: I remember going to school so early that it was still dark out. #HairsprayLive

@MaxCrumm: LINK'S BUTT!!!! #HairsprayLive

@andrewkober: I like the alternate reality where Andrea Martin is actually Ariana Grande's mom.

@PattiMurin: Amber's dress is BALLER. #HairsprayLive

@seangrandillo: Harvey is a legend. #HairsprayLive

@ColinHanlon: I love Martin Short. Always have. Always will. My hero.

@LILLACRAWFORD: YASS DOVE CAMERON!! #HairsprayLive

@andrewkober: Listen. I know it's not "cool" for a 32-year-old man, but I really, truly, unironically like @ArianaGrande. I think she's great.

8:24PM - I CAN HEAR THE BELLS / MISS BALTIMORE CRABS

@PattiMurin: Just realized that I could have birthed Link and Amber and Tracy. Scarred. #HairsprayLive

@colindonnell: Loving #HairsprayLive, I just can't figure out how they get all those hair-do's to stay just so...

@LILLACRAWFORD: I can't be the only one who's joking that Link is doing the Mannequin Challenge, right?

@FrankieJGrande: OMG! @ArianaGrande is SLAYING #HairsprayLive! She's perf as Penny! Like I peed when she said "I don't hear anything. Maybe it's the altitude."

@ABrightMonster: I do love Harvey. That dude commits.

@aanavee: @KChenoweth IS QUEEN. Although we knew this long before tonight.

8:38PM - DETENTION / LADIES' CHOICE

@JackieHoffman16: Thinking tonight of our dear sweet Mark O'Donnell, Hairspray bookwriter. If he's watching from wherever he is, I hope he likes it.

@seangrandillo: I would watch @Rosie read the phone book #HairsprayLive

@andrewkober: To follow along, try to imagine a country with incredibly divisive racial tension. Try to really stretch your mind.

@PattiMurin: Amber is totes that girl who goes shopping with her friends just to make sure their dresses aren't nearly as cute as hers. #HairsprayLive

@seangrandillo: Why can't I stop thinking about Trump? #Hairspraylive

8:45PM - NICEST KIDS (REPRISE) / IT TAKES TWO / VELMA'S REVENGE

@SydneyLucasNYC: @derekhough You are perfect as #CornyCollins! @HairsprayLive

@LILLACRAWFORD: IQ. Hit me up. #HairsprayLive

@CiaraRenee8: But @KChenoweth is giving me ALL of the choices!! I live for Queen K! #HairsprayLive

@melissa_errico: My kids are watching @HairsprayLive gotta teach em right @marcshaiman @KChenoweth

@seangrandillo: She's just gonna end all the numbers like that isn't she, K?

@jenashstep: You can't stop the beat but you can stop ANYONE WHO GOES UP AGAINST KCHENO BC SHE DA ULTIMATE KWEEN #HairsprayLive

9:04PM - WELCOME TO THE 60's

@LILLACRAWFORD: MY FAVORITE SONG!! HERE WE GO!! #HairsprayLive

@PattiMurin: MY GOD THIS MUSIC IS EVERYTHING #HairsprayLive

@LauraBellBundy: My heart is so full right now watch @nbchairspraylive #hairspraylive

@KerryButlerNYC: Excited to see a bunch of original Broadway cast members on tv!! #HairsprayLive

@seangrandillo: Give @HarveyFierstein his Emmy now. #hairspraylive

@SydneyLucasNYC: Nailing the quick changes on live tv!! @HarveyFierstein @MaddieBaillio @HairsprayLive @nbc

@seangrandillo: best number so far #HairsprayLive

9:15PM - DODGEBALL / RUN AND TELL THAT

@LILLACRAWFORD: Where was I when gym outfits were cute? Bring back the 60's please! #HairsprayLive

@PattiMurin: MVP thus far: Ariana Grande. Hands down. #HairsprayLive

@SydneyLucasNYC: @ephsykes has the moves!! @HairsprayLive @nbc

@ABrightMonster: SHAHAAAAAAADDDIIIIII!!!!!!!!! @ShahadiJo just blew the roof off this show.

@official_orfeh: #Runandtellthat!!! Just YES!! #HairsprayLive #nbc ??????????????????????????????????? #fullout @jammyprod

@JuliaMurney: Oh, @ephsykes I will run and tell whatever you like. #HairsprayLive

@RyanOConnor: You guys, @jammyprod's choreography & genius addition to "Run & Tell That" is IMPORTANT! Telling a STORY!!

9:30PM - BIG, BLONDE AND BEAUTIFUL

@KerryButlerNYC: Ok #hairspraylive is freaking incredible!! Everyone is so great!!! All the feelings.

@amyspanger: Man, I love musicals! The kids on @HairsprayLive are killin it!!!

@seangrandillo: SHUUUUUG AAAAAAAAAVERY #HairsprayLive

@PattiMurin: "Any more white people in here, it'll be a suburb." Best ensemble line ever written in Broadway musical history.

@JuliaMurney: Is that line in the show or did they just Easter egg @Lin_Manuel? #HairsprayLive

@jenashtep: Happy to hear Link Larkin will not be throwing away his shot because it would not be a 2016 theatre event without #HAMILTON #HairsprayLive

@LILLACRAWFORD: MARCH!! YASS!! MARCH!!!

@SethRudetsky: Amazing final riff on the word TRACY!!! Brava @IAMJHUD

@MaxCrumm: SOMEONE GET ME A GIF OF THEM SHOVING TRACY INTO THE SWAT VAN STAT!

9:50PM - (YOU'RE) TIMELESS TO ME

@ABrightMonster: Harvey should do voiceover work. He's got such a unique voice.

@benrimalower: "Timeless to Me" = timeless to me

@jenashtep: How lucky we are to walk the same Earth as @HarveyFierstein #HairsprayLive

10:00PM - BALTIMORE (REPRISE) / WITHOUT LOVE

@jenashtep: "Good Morning Baltimore (reprise)" was always the song I played on repeat as a teen. What can I say, I LOVE UNDERAPPRECIATED THINGS, PEOPLE.

@SydneyLucasNYC: Beautiful #Baltimore ballad! @MaddieBaillio @HairsprayLive @nbc

@LexiLawson: Killin it @ephsykes!

@LILLACRAWFORD: Comedic genius Andrea Martin makes me remember why I love #HairsprayLive

@jenashtep: Musical theatre teaches many positive lessons but I also gotta say I've never seen a musical that didn't make jail seem like a PARTAYYYYYYY.

10:15PM - I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN

@brubendall: JHuds about to go in. Buckle up y'all. #HairsprayLive

@CaissieLevy: That was just bananas.

@DebraMessing: My goosebumps have goosebumps. Thank you @IAMJHUD

@LILLACRAWFORD: Jennifer is no joke. The backups were incredible. Best number so far. Imma overplay it so hard.

@CynthiaEriVo: YES COME ON JEN!!!! #HairsprayLive @IAMJHUD Show them all!!

@FrankieJGrande: Proud AF. #HairsprayLive

@MamieParris: Need a good tv repairman after that number. I may or maynot hsve thrown a shoe at the screen. #damn #HairsprayLive #JHud

@SydneyLucasNYC: .@IAMJHUd #IKnowWhereIveBeen Could that song be any more relevant today?? #FlawlessPerformance @HairsprayLive @nbc

@JuliaMurney: All the ads after @iamjhud's insane #HairsprayLive number showing all colors of the human rainbow singing songs of inclusion? #ineedatissue

10:28PM - IT'S HAIRSPRAY / COOTIES / YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT

@PattiMurin: Amber literally just had all of Act Two off. #HairsprayLive

@LILLACRAWFORD: This look is the lovechild of Yente and an Oompa Loompa. #HairsprayLive

@CiaraRenee8: Queen K better have a crab crown ??????? @KChenoweth #HairsprayLive

@brubendall: Cooties was my favorite number to perform in Hairspray. Sorry not sorry. #HairsprayLive

@jenashtep: YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT, MIKE PENCE #HairsprayLive

@rja_tkydky: Ariana Grande is THE REAL DEAL! #HairsprayLive

@FrankieJamesGrande: And that is why my sister is a f****ing [star]. #HairsprayLive

@SydneyLucasNYC: Oh my goodness @KChenoweth & #AndreaMartin crack me up so much! @HairsprayLive @nbc

@Jordan_Roth: "You can't stop my happiness, cause I like the way I am!" Sing for us all, @HarveyFierstein! #HairsprayLive

@aanavee: Between @IAMJHUD's voice and her body, I don't think I can breathe rn. #HairsprayLive

@PattiMurin: That was amazing. #HairsprayLive

10:50PM - COME SO FAR / FINAL THOUGHTS

@LILLACRAWFORD: Awww, I love this. It's a party #HairsprayLive

@rja_tkydky: "YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT" That is gonna be some party tonight, in Hollywood. A total triumph! CONGRATULATIONS to EVERYONE involved! XO #HairsprayLive #NBC

@KimikoGlenn: Not a knock against any of the past productions, but excited for the live event that finds room for an Asian actor up there.

@kelli_barrett: Absolutely blown away by @HairsprayLive tonight. Also, feeling devastated by how relevant the message still is.

@jenashtep: Ok @Rosie crying is all of us. This is our America: come so far, got so far to go. #HairsprayLive

@colindonnell: Somewhere, someone was just introduced to musical theatre and their life was made better for it. Thank you #HairsprayLive @nbc

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And that's a wrap! So, what did you all think of the show? Any moments YOU found worthy enough to tweet? Share your thoughts on the broadcast in the comments below! And, just for funsies, we've included video of the electrifying "Welcome to the 60's" number, featuring (as you all well know by now) a special appearance by Main Stem alum Sean Hayes, backed by original Broadway Dynamites Kamila Marshall, Judine Somerville, and Shayna Steele, capped off with cameos by former Tracys Ricki Lake and Marissa Jaret Winokur. And then, of course, there's Harvey... gettin' all dragged up like only he can. Enjoy... and go, Mama, go, go, go!

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Video Credit: NBC

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Thanks again for joining me, folks! Hope you had a great night, and remember... You Can't Stop the Beat. #SeacrestOut

Matt Smith is a writer and theatre enthusiast based in New York. For more information or further inquiry, including additional writing samples, please visit mattsmiththeatre.com.