"Hairspray" Fun Facts!

Here are some fun facts about the original and musical versions of "Hairspray"!  The musical opens this weekend at the Vam York!

• The original film’s writer/director, John Waters, is a Baltimore native whose films have become transgressive cult classics. 
• “Hairspray” (1988) was intended for a much broader audience than Waters’ previous work, and received a PG rating instead of his usual X rating. It starred Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry and Sonny Bono.
• The original screenplay was written under the title “White Lipstick.” 
• The “Corny Collins Show” is based on an actual dance program, the “Buddy Deane Show,” and the film’s climax is based on an actual event that happened on that show in 1963. 
• The Broadway show’s composer and lyricist, Marc Shaiman, was a vocal arranger for artist Bette Midler, working on hits like “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From a Distance.” 
• Shaiman’s film credits include “Beaches,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “City Slickers,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “The Addams Family,” “Sister Act,” “A Few Good Men,” and “The American President.” He also wrote for and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” 
• The musical version of “Hairspray” won eight Tony Awards in 2003, including Best Musical, Best Leading Actor (Harvey Fierstein), Best Leading Actress (Marissa Jaret Winokur), and Best Original Score. 
• Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman went on to write for the musical version of “Catch Me If You Can” and the recent television hit, “Smash.”