Skip to content

‘Hairspray’ in Vancouver for a week of ’60s-era music/comedy starting April 2

web1_240404-sul-hairspray-leap_1
The touring production of “Hairspray” stars Josiah Thomas Randolph as “Thad,” Kalab Quinn as “Duane” and Gabriel Yarborough as “Gilbert,” with company dancers. (Contributed photo: Jeremy Daniel)

Starting Tuesday night (April 2), Broadway Across Canada brings the musical comedy “Hairspray” to Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre for one week only.

The Tony Award-winning show, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, plays at the Hamilton Street theatre until Sunday, April 7. Tickets and tour details are posted on hairspraytour.com.

“Hairspray” is the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Memorable songs include “Welcome to the ’60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

The touring production has played in 118 cities over the past couple of years. “Hairspray” premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater in June 2002, and went on to become the 22nd longest running show in Broadway history.

Director O’Brien says the show is more relevant now than 20 years ago when it first burst onto the scene.

“With a whole new generation of wildly talented kids across the board, we cannot wait to raise the various roofs once more with dance, joy, music, and that glorious, famous, energy-packed score,” O’Brien raved.

Meantime, musicals coming to Vancouver during the 2024-25 season have been announced by Broadway Across Canada. Seven BAC shows will tour to Queen Elizabeth Theatre later this year and next, starting with the 9/11-themed musical “Come From Away” (September 2024), followed by “The Book of Mormon” (November), “Beetlejuice” (January 2025), “Tina” the Tina Turner musical (March 2025), “SIX” (May 2025), “Riverdance 30” (June 2025) and “Disney’s The Lion King” (August 2025).

BAC’s current season at Queen Elizabeth Theatre ends with “Hairspray” (April 2-7) and “Disney’s Frozen” (July 9-21).

• READ MORE: ‘Lion King,’ ‘Beetlejuice,’ other big-stage musicals coming to Vancouver in 2024-25.



Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news for Surrey Now-Leader and Black Press Media
Read more