The musical Hairspray is set in June in the year 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. The main character, Tracy, is an overweight young girl. The young girl dreams of becoming famous. If you do not have front row seats, you will want to bring your opera glasses so as not to miss a heartbeat of this fast-paced musical.

As Tracy is watching television one day, she hears that a popular show is going to sponsor a dance contest. Tracy knows that is is her long dreamed of shot at fame. When her overweight mother finds out about her plans, she discourages the idea for two reasons, one is that she worries that people will make fun of her sweet but overweight daughter, and the other is that she thinks the show plays racist music.

Finally Tracy makes it to the big dance audition, thanks to the permission of her father, Wilbur. As she is auditioning she meets a popular boy named Link Larkin. At this point you will want to make sure you use your opera glasses, as you will want to catch the expression on Tracy’s face, you will see her face light up, maybe in the same way yours did in high school. Our hero begins to daydream that she and Link will end up together. At this point in the musical, she sings a wonderful song about her dream. But as you knew would happen, her dream is shattered when she finds that she did not make the cut on the show, for the same reason that her mother suspected, her weight.

Broken hearted Tracy returns to school, but her troubles do not end there, almost immediately Tracy if given detention, due to her hair being so large, that those who sat behind her, could not even see past her! For this reason, the musical Hairspray, is given its name.

While Tracy is in detention, she meets a nice black boy named Seaweed who is kind enough to teach Tracy some dance steps and hot moves. There is a dance party scheduled for the school and the owner of the Corny Collins Show, Corny Collins himself, sees Tracy’s slick moves. He loves how she dances and lo and behold she is chosen to be a dancer on his popular show. This moment will be the perfect time to put on your opera glasses as of course Tracy is ecstatic as this is her big dream!

Again after all this Tracy finds more good news, Link Larkin, the love of her life is to sing a romantic song to her on the show! Amber, who is another girl that attends Tracy’s school is also in love with Link, finds out, and decides to take her rage out on on Tracy, cruelty ensues, including knocking Tracy out with a volleyball.

More things ensue. Tracy and others are invited to Seaweeds mothers record shop. A party is planned for all to attend. The group goes to Seaweeds mothers record shop as blacks cannot go to The Corny Collins Show since blacks are only allowed on the show once a month on a specific day; that day being Negro Day. Tracy gets into fighting for blacks rights. For these intense acts you will want to wear your opera glasses.

Hairspray is a delight to attend, and a bigger delight to hear, it is no wonder it made such a run on Broadway, Remember to bring your opera glasses to catch every last expression, and the wonderful costumes. This is truly a performance to cherish.