Ricki Lake News

A girl achieves her dream of performing on a TV dance show in 1960s Baltimore — and works to integrate the show — in this musical version of the John Waters film. Outside of traditional beauty standards, she faces many prejudices, become an instant celebrity, and fight against racial segregation promoting inclusion of everyone in the city.

In a meticulously scripted and carefully crafted medley of songs, the performers highlighted the highs and lows of their careers, illustrating their individual paths to Hairspray and sharing anecdotes of their vastly different lives since the closing of the show.

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL returns to Milton Keynes Theatre this September.

Initial casting and further tour dates have been announced for the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. Learn more about who is starring in the musical here, and where you can catch the show!

The three-week performance series will feature music, theater, comedy and cabaret work from Matt Bovee, Scout Davis, Amy Jo Jackson, Dan Mills and Ben Thornewill, Kristin McCarthy Parker, Adam J. Rineer, and others, as well as the world premiere of Witches!? In Salem?! by Matt Cox (Puffs).

Made From Concentrate will present The Importance of Being Anxious, written by Hal Cantor and directed by Ralph Bogard. The production will be presented as part of the 2024 New York City Fringe Festival.

FRIGID New York has revealed the full schedule of performances for the 2024 New York City Fringe Festival at UNDER St. Marks, The Wild Project, and the 14Y Theater, April 3-21. Learn more about the shows, and see how to purchase tickets.

For over 15 years FRIGID New York has been presenting an annual festival of fringe theatre in New York City. This Spring their biggest festival of the year will be rebranded as the New York City Fringe Festival.

On December 20, 2023, surrounded by her family and closest friends, Terry Saperstein brought down the final curtain on an exemplary life dedicated to nurturing and enhancing the lives of actors in theater, film, and the performing arts.

Brenda Edwards, who has previously played “Motormouth” Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray will join the creative team alongside Paul Kerryson to direct a new production of Hairspray which will embark on a major national UK and Ireland tour in 2024. Learn more about the tour here!

John Waters is known for his 1988 film Hairspray, was remade as a Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway. But in John Waters' 1988 original, it was an 18-year-old Ricki Lake who was first tapped to play the lead role of Tracy Turnblad. Watch a video of Lake and Waters' full speeches, along with the unveiling of the star now!

John Waters: Pope of Trash opened at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures over the weekend. The exhibition includes the costumes from Waters' Hairspray film, which inspired the Tony-winning musical of the same name. Props from Waters' 1990 film Cry Baby, also inspired a Broadway musical, are also featured. Check out photos!

Funny Girl gets a Brazilian production directed by Barchilon, starring Giulia Nadruz and Eriberto Leao as protagonists. With score by J. Styne, and lyrics by B. Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein.

I had the incredible pleasure of talking to Marilu Henner on her upcoming show at the Write-Off Room Music and Memories on September 23, 2023. She completely wowed me with her uncanny detailed memory of her illustrious career. Marilu is only one of twelve people in the world who has hyperthymesia, or in laymen’s terms: total recall memory. Accompanying Marilu on her one-nighter will be musical director Michael Orland on piano.

It was a Hollywood who's who from music, film, television, and social media last night at the world famous Dolby Theater for the 20th Anniversary Tour opening night of HAIRSPRAY starring Andrew Levitt aka Nina West.

Rosie O'Donnell moved from standup to television, film and the Broadway stage before finding widespread success as a talk-show host. Now, she's moving 'Onward' into the podcast world! BroadwayWorld sat down with O'Donnell to discuss the new podcast, also taking a look back on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, her love of Broadway, and more.

O'Donnell moved from standup to television, film and the Broadway stage before finding widespread success as a talk-show host. Upcoming guests to the podcast include Sharon Gless, Jenifer Lewis, Fran Drescher, Ricki Lake, Camryn Manheim, Kathy Griffin, The TikTok Bubbie, Kristin Chenoweth, Dylan Mulvaney and Natasha Lyonne.

Added to the list were Disney’s beloved “The Little Mermaid,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian De Palma’s adaptation of “Carrie,” and the 1950 film version of “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Also included were Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man” and the unforgettable romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally.”

Tony Award winning producer Michael A. Jenkins today announced the cast for the special by-invitation-only industry reading for the new musical BELVA - Don’t Give Up Before the Miracle on Friday June 10th at Pearl Studios (500 Eighth Avenue).

Laura Bell Bundy headlines Holmdel Theatre Company's next installment of its 'Broadway at the Barn' series on Saturday, July 16. The Broadway favorite will perform a solo concert called 'Born to Entertain,' which takes audiences through a journey of her life and career.