NBC Drops Hairspray Live! Bomb During Olympics

Culture&Arts Nancy Frank
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The much awaited and often hinted about live production of the classic 2002 Broadway comedy musical and 1988 hit film got its first public promo during the August 19, 2016, broadcast of the Olympics from Rio. NBC took full advantage of a large audience to promote what is expected to be a once in a lifetime event that will naturally be rebroadcast forever.

The live performance is being filmed with a few changes in scenery and sets that include an incorporation of outdoor scenes that were not possible in the Broadway show. The story line remains the same with a few minor adaptations by Harvey Fierstein. Jerry Mitchell has been responsible for choreography. Alex Rudzinski and Kenny Leon are directing what is expected to be as true to Broadway a production as possible.

NBC is banking on the success of this venture based on the audience response to their former live musical shows including Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz.

The promo ad featured an intro by Harvey Fierstein dressed as a flamboyant and colorful Edna Turnblad uttering the immortally funny line “Excuse Me”. Each of the major roles got a quick shot that portends to be as accurate to the stage play as can be produced. The entire cast has live stage experience and that fact is expected to produce a better feel for live theater from the audience.

The cast includes Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle, Ariana Grande as Penny Pingleton, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, and Rosie O’Donnell as the Gym Teacher. The lead role of Tracy Turnblad will be portrayed by 20-year-old Maddie Baillio.

The show is scheduled to air on December 7, 2016. It includes all of the original songs and may include some of the deleted scenes from the movie. Expect more revelations and more ads as the event grows closer.