Hairspray at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
“You have to think big.” That’s exactly what you’re getting at one of the best Broadway musicals, HAIRSPRAY. Expect the production to bring out gigantic hairdos, roaring laughter, and big personalities when they land in Vancouver, Canada! Get ready to shimmy and shake as the cast puts on a wildly entertaining and absolutely unforgettable show.
Immerse yourselves in the ‘60s, where the 16 year old Tracy Turnblad dances her way to the most popular TV show – the Corny Collins Show. You can’t stop the beat! The Tony Award-winning Broadway production is one that you simply cannot miss. Hairspray will run at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a very limited time! Mark your calendars because Hairspray will be taking the stage from the 2nd to the 5th of April, 2024.
Can you hear those bells? They’re telling you that you need to come see the show! Tickets are on sale right now, so go ahead and secure yours before it’s too late. Click ‘GET TICKETS’ to make your purchase.
Hairspray Tickets:
“It sings wonderfully, is richly funny and dances up a storm.” – Chicago Critic
“HAIRSPRAY is a toe-tapping, dance in your seat, good time show with a message we still need to hear.” – BroadwayWorld.com
“a bang-up, non-stop rockin’ Tony Award-winning musical that makes audiences want to boogie on down the aisles.” – Centerstage
Hairspray has been around for quite a while – jumping between film and theatre. The musical is based on the cult-classic 1988 movie by John Waters, and made its Broadway debut. It got made into a film once again in 2007, which was another commercial success. Now, Hairspray is back on Broadway to bring the shimmy and shake to stages once again! Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray follows the 16 year old Tracy Turnblad as she takes on entrenched racism, conservatism and fatphobia as she seeks freedom, love and equality for all.
Hairspray’s book was written by the award-winning Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. It features music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.In 2002, the musical debuted in Seattle before moving to Broadway later in the year. Out of 13 nominations in 2003, Hairspray garnered eight Tony Awards, including best musical, book, score and direction.. The fun-filled production brought joy to audiences and critics alike, garnering praises from everyone who witnessed it. Some of the songs from the beloved score includes “Welcome to the ‘60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” According to The New York Times, Hairspray is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!”
“Hairspray is one of the great audience shows in modern American musical theater.” – Stage and Cinema
“Hairspray is the kind of uptempo fun that leaves you tapping your toes and grinning like a goofball.” – Chicago Critic
“This musical is absolutely a must-see and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.” – Redbrick
The musical’s plot revolves on the popular television program The Corny Collins Show, whose stars include the dashing Link Larkin and the entitled Amber von Tussle. As we can see from the opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore,” life in Baltimore is fairly routine for the protagonist Tracy Turnblad and her best friend Penny Pingleton. However, this life is quickly turned upside down in a twist of fate when Tracy ends up as a permanent fixture on the show. This is thanks to the assistance of her new friend Seaweed. Due to Tracy’s status, she is now more competitive with Amber for Link’s devotion and the title of “Miss Teenage Hairspray 1962” than ever before.
Redbrick enjoyed the production’s musical numbers and said, “A few highlights for me included ‘Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now’ (the staging cleverly mirrored Tracy, Amber, and Penny, demonstrating a universal teenage experience, once again transcending social boundaries and accompanied by fantastic harmonies), ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ (performed so brilliantly by Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle, emphasising the continuous struggle of discrimination and the constant need to keep striving for equality), as well as the iconic closing number ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’, which was simply a celebration of song, dance, and community.”
The music of Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman’s soundtrack is always upbeat and contagious, with well written lyrics that have clever double meanings and toe-tapping rhythms that are just irresistible. It is energizing to hear rock music performed so that the listener can follow the words. The songs reflect the era’s musical trends, which included classic rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, gospel, and even a little Broadway and vaudeville. People who come to see Hairspray can’t resist but to jam along to the show’s tunes!
Well, people of Vancouver, Canada, do you think you’re ready to shimmy and shake for this marvelous Broadway musical? We sure hope you are because the show is running at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a very limited time! Catch one of the best Broadway productions ever written from the 2nd to the 5th of April, 2024. This is a show that will bring memories lasting a lifetime, so go ahead and and call all your friends because you’re all watching Hairspray live!