A Copy of A Copy: Episode 102 - Hairspray (1988/2007)

Car RayRob is back with another episode of their brand-new podcast A COPY OF A COPY! The first went so well, we've decided to keep it going! For this episode, Ray and Rob are looking at another way remakes are being made these days and that's the musical! More and more traditional features are being reimagined in the Broadway style, so to explore this growing phenomenon, Ray and Rob have zeroed in the John Waters classic HAIRSPRAY! Ray has a checkered past with the Pope of Trash, but the success of both the original and the musical beg for the Car RayRob magnifying glass! 

In both, the story centers on Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake in 88 and Nikki Blonsky in 2007), a Baltimore teen who dreams of being on the local dance sensation The Corny Collins Show! Not fitting the traditional mold of beauty, Tracy faces strong headwinds in the form of Amber, the queen bee of the dance floor and her cadre of "cool kids" who rule the show and look down on outsiders. When she shoots for the moon much to the chagrin of her mother Edna (Divine in 1988 and John Travolta in 2007), she finds surprise allies and the push towards the fight for racial equality in 1960s America. 

Does the distinct John Waters flair translate well to the Broadway stage? Or does the style leave it feeling overproduced and lifeless? Tune in this week to find out!  

THEME SONG:

Music and Lyrics: Jeremy Catarelli, Kevin Magamoll and Rob Morgan

INTERMISSION:

Music: Jey You

Voice: Rob Morgan