The highly anticipated production of Hairspray Live! is set for Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.
This classic musical has a stellar lineup that includes Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, exciting newcomer Maddie Baillio, and special guest stars Sean Hayes, Andrea Martin, and Rosie O’Donnell.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, here’s a quick synopsis for you:
Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Hairspray LIVE!” takes place in 1962 Baltimore. It’s the story of Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big hair and big dreams. Despite the objections of her stay-at-home mother, Edna, Tracy becomes an overnight sensation when her dance moves win her a role on The Corny Collins Show, a teen dance show on local TV. Tracy’s talent also wins the heart of Link Larkin, the show’s dreamboat. Her success stirs the envy of Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma, who see Tracy as Amber’s rival for the title of Miss Teenage Hairspray. But Tracy has bigger plans! Before long she's leading a campaign to integrate the all-white Corny Collins Show. Tracy teams up with Seaweed, an African American boy who shares her passion for dancing. And she has the help of Seaweed’s mother, Motormouth Maybelle — a record store owner who shares Tracy’s vision of social justice. Together, they finally break down the color barrier that divides the show’s dance floor and prove that we all dance to the same beat.
NBC has also provided fun, educational assets associated with the theme of the musical, that teachers can use in their classrooms.