Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a lively teenager in 1960s Baltimore with big dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show. When she wins a spot on the popular TV program, Tracy uses her newfound fame to challenge racial segregation and promote acceptance. With a heart full of hope and a determination to make a difference, Tracy inspires her community to embrace change—all set to an energetic, feel-good score bursting with catchy tunes like “Good Morning Baltimore,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and more. This uplifting musical celebrates individuality, inclusion, and the power of standing up for what’s right.

 

Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan | Music by Marc Shaiman | Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman

HAIRSPRAY is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)

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Tracy Turnblad: Our story's unsuspecting protagonist. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3 

 

Corny Collins: The charismatic host of The Corny Collins Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: D3

 

 Edna Turnblad: Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Played by a man in drag. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: F3 

 

Penny Pingleton: Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: A3 

 

Velma Von Tussle: Amber's mother and the director of The Corny Collins Show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3 

 

Amber Von Tussle: Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3

 

 Link Larkin: The star heartthrob on The Corny Collins Show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: G3 

 

Seaweed J. Stubbs: Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: F3

 

Motormouth Maybelle: Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on The Corny Collins Show’s monthly “Negro Day.” Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3 

 

Little Inez: Motormouth’s daughter and Seaweed’s little sister. Like Tracy, she dreams of being on the Corny Collins Show, and has the talent to make it but isn’t allowed to because of segregation. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: C5 

 

Wilbur Turnblad: Tracy's simple-minded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: A3 

 

Prudy Pingleton :Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: D4 

 

Mr. Pinky: The eccentric owner of a Lady’s Clothing Store in Baltimore and Tracy’s sponsor. Vocal range top: E4 Vocal range bottom: B2 

 

The Dynamites: (Judine, Kamilah, and Shayna) A female singing trio inspired by the real-life Supremes. They are star performers on The Corny Collins Show’s “Negro Day” show and are featured in a number of songs including “Welcome to the 60s” and “Without Love.” Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: G3 

 

Ensemble Breakdown Group Description Size: 

 

The Nicest Kids in Town: Featured singers and dancers on The Corny Collins Show. Clean-cut, white-bread, and preppy, they are the most popular kids not just at their school, but in the whole city. Four Boys: - Brad - Fender - Sketch - IQ

 

 Four Girls: - Tammy - Brenda - Shelley - Lou Ann 

 

Motormouth’s Kids: Seaweed’s friends who hang out at Motormouth’s record shop. They are also featured performers on The Corny Collins Show’s “Negro Day.” 4 to 8 people 

 

Baltimore Ensemble: Other citizens of Baltimore. They play a wide variety of characters including teachers, TV crew, hot-dog vendors, etc. to help bring the city to life on stage. 4 to 8 people