By Kelly Skinner
Contact:
Kelly Skinner, director of public relations
732-247-7200, ext. 542
[email protected]
Renu Verma, marketing & pr coordinator
732-247-7200, ext. 517
[email protected]
“If Life Were Everything It Should be, It Would be More Like ‘Hairspray.’”—The New York Times
State Theatre presents
HAIRSPRAY
Friday, March 27, 2009, 8pm; Saturday, March 28, 2009, 2pm & 8pm
$75, $65, $55, $40
Ticket Office: 732-246-SHOW (7469)
New Brunswick, NJ (February 26, 2009)— HAIRSPRAY, Broadways musical comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture is coming to the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ on Friday, March 27 at 8pm and Saturday, March 28 at 2pm and 8pm. This fantastically fun musical and winner of eight 2003 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, is currently enjoying its 5th record-breaking year on Broadway. And now, the people of New Brunswick will be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this smash hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance—and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. It’s HAIRSPRAY, live on stage in living color! The March 28, 8pm performance is also a “Young Professional’s Night Out” event, a special package that includes a show ticket and a pre-performance reception with free appetizers and drink specials for $55 per person. Call 732-246-SHOW to order. Hairspray is sponsored by Magyar Bank. Tickets range from $40-$75.
Everyone is raving about this delightful musical, including the critics. “A great big fat gorgeous hit,” claims Clive Barnes of the New York Post. “Completely irresistible! Get those tickets now!” declares syndicated columnist, Liz Smith. “So many numbers bring down the house, it’s a wonder the theater is still standing,” says Jeremy Gerard of New York Magazine.
In HAIRSPRAY it’s 1962—the ‘50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion—to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her ‘do? Only in HAIRSPRAY! Welcome to the ‘60s!
HAIRSPRAY is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. HAIRSPRAY features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. This production of HAIRSPRAY is based on Jack O’Brien’s original direction and Jerry Mitchell’s original choreography, recreated by Matt Lenz and Danny James Austin, respectively. Scenic design is by David Rockwell; the set coordinator is Michael Allen; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller; the sound is by Shannon Slaton; wig and hair design is by Paul Huntley; and the musical supervisor is Lon Hoyt. HAIRSPRAY is produced by NETworks Presentations.
For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.
The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. William Grant & Sons, our season spirits’ sponsor.
Hairspray
Fri, March 27 at 8pm
Sat, March 28 at 2pm & 8pm
Sponsored by Magyar Bank
STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online – www.StateTheatreNJ.org
PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Please contact Kelly Skinner at
732-247-7200, ext. 542 or by email at [email protected].
Information in this release is current as of February 26, 2009.
For up-to-the-minute information on events and State Theatre news,
visit the State Theatre online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.

