HAIRSPRAY Returns to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 2/9

It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away! Hairspray, Broadway's musical comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture is coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.

This fantastically fun musical, winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, celebrated over 6 record-breaking years during its Broadway run. The 2007 West End production of Hairspray was nominated for a record-breaking 11 Olivier Awards and nabbed four, including the top category Best New Musical, and also won Best New Musical in all of Britain's other top awards programs, including the Evening Standard, Critic's Circle, and Whatsonstage Awards.
And now, back by popular demand, the people of Sarasota will once again be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this international smash-hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance - and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. It's Hairspray, live on stage, in living color!

Everyone is raving about this delightful musical, including the critics. "A great big fat gorgeous hit," claims Clive Barnes of the New York Post. "A must-see for every teenage dreamer who believes anything is possible," says Georgina Brown of London's The Mail on Sunday. "So many numbers bring down the house, it's a wonder the theater is still standing," says Jeremy Gerard of New York Magazine.

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 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 a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Hairspray features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. 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. Hairspray is produced by NETworks Presentations.

Hairspray is sponsored by Wilde Lexus of Sarasota and ABC-7, WWSB. The show's website can be found at www.hairsprayontour.com.

For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Dinner is available prior to most shows by Michael's on East at the Van Wezel by calling (941) 366-0007 or logging onto www.bestfood.com.
Tickets prices: $45-$70 (with a limited number of "smart seats" priced at $30).

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