I actually saw a traveling Broadway show of Hairspray last year for my birthday. I'd seen plays an musicals before, but this was the first one actually put on by Broadway performers. And let me tell you- there is a marked difference in talent.

Just so you get the setting of the whole thing, here is an excerpt from Hairspray's site.

From the Official Website:

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 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!

The show is loud, funny, touching and moving at every moment. The songs are unforgettable and you will leave the theatre, but never forget what you saw. This play particularly moves you to see that being big isn't bad (I'm not advocating being big because then health issues start popping up) and that the more hefty population can get up to dance, sing and be role models just as well as their thinner counterparts. You'll undoubtedly by rooting for Tracy Turnblad as she fights to get on TV and then, when she fights for the rights of the African-Americans to get to be on the American-Bandstand-esque show. To catch all the jokes, memories and roll-of-your-eyes, you'll have to see it yourself. And if you can't get to a show...

As you are most surely aware, a movie has recently been released about Hairspray starring John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, etc. I am going to see this movie on Thursday, but I fully expect it to be enjoyable, but I'll let you know .

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