[ot-caption title=” Hairspray’s original logo. (via Antonio Campoy, Flickr)”]

NBC’s Hairspray Live!, a live musical adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical, will be broadcast live on television on December 7, 2016. Just in time for the holidays, the cast features celebrities including Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Derek Hough, Ariana Grande, Rosie O’Donnell, Garrett Clayton, and Dove Cameron.[spacer height=”20px”]

In what has become an annual December tradition on NBC, Hairspray Live! is the fourth Broadway favorite to be reinvented as a live TV event. Their previous shows included Sound of Music, Peter Pan, and The Wiz. Even though NBC was first to revive live TV musicals, FOX’s Grease Live! was arguably much more successful in viewership and reviews. While all three of NBC’s previous musicals had fine viewership, The Wiz Live! was the only one that received great reviews overall. NBC is hoping to emulate FOX’s success with Grease Live! by ditching their usual sound stage setup and opting for multiple stationary sets that the casts moves through during the show.[spacer height=”20px”]

While NBC is making Hairspray Live! more similar to Grease Live! which consisted of an entirely well-known cast, NBC did stick to their tradition of casting the lead role as a newcomer. Maddie Baillio will play the lead role of Tracy Turnbland. [spacer height=”20px”]

Ever since the iconic musical Hairspray hit Broadway in 2002, fans have been jamming to the songs, interpreting the dances and recreating the famous costumes. Though it’s not well-known, the musical was actually based on the 1988 film of the same name. In 2007, another movie version of Hairspray dropped, which received critical acclaim and became just as, and if not more so, popular than the Broadway musical. It starred Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, and even John Travolta in a fat suit playing a girl. Since then, both the movie and musicals’ catchy tunes and brilliantly choreographed routines have captivated the eyes of thousands worldwide.[spacer height=”20px”]

Although the movie was recent, students at Pine Crest can’t wait for the live television remake.[spacer height=”20px”]

“I really enjoy musicals, and Hairspray Live! sounds great! I can’t wait to watch it,” freshman Emily Roy said.[spacer height=”20px”]

“I’m excited to see how they interpret the differences between different races,” freshman Omer Erez said.[spacer height=”20px”]

It’s no surprise the classic is appealing to all ages, especially when every song is catchy enough to get stuck in your head for an entire month. Get your popcorn, fuzzy blankets and slippers and tune in to NBC’s Hairspray Live! on December 7, 2016.[spacer height=”20px”]

Photo Source: Flickr [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Sources: StarTelegram.com, TheaterMania.com, TeenVogue.com, Billboard.com