Bibliographic Information:
Title: Hairspray
Executive Producer: Craig Zadan, Neil Meron
Network: New Line Cinema
Release Date: 2007
Cast: Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and more.
Age Rating: PG/PG-13
Genre / Format of the Title: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Musical, Historical Fiction / Film
Plot Summary:
In Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, Tracy Turnblad auditions for the Corny Collins Show on a local network station, and goes through the trials and tribulations of trying to fit into a world that is not accepting of her size. Alongside her best friend Penny Pingleton, Tracy learns to love and be loved all while fighting for desegregation, both on and off the dance floor. With her nemesis and nemesis’ mom (the station manager!) throwing everything at Tracy to get her kicked off the show and out of running for Miss Teenage Hairspray, Tracy will have to find ways to overcome every obstacle put in front of her - including sneaking into the live recording of Miss Teenage Hairspray. Young love with Link Larkin seems so out of reach for Tracy, but she’s hopeful and “can hear the bells”.
In the opening song, Tracy grabs a McIntosh Apple, which are known for having multiple colors on their skin, an early indicator that she is for integration!
Creator Background:
Neil Meron is known as an executive producer who turns Broadway musicals into movie musicals for the big screen. He is mostly known for Chicago and Hairspray, but has also helped with producing the live casting of multiple Oscar Awards ceremonies (Meron). Meron was born and raised in New York City, and is a constant partner in the film industry with Craig Zadan.
Craig Zadan is both a producer and writer, known for his solo work and his partnered work with Meron. Both Zadan and Meron created Storyline Entertainment as a way to have more control over the stories they wanted to tell, and have produced Footloose, Chicago and Hairspray because of it. Originally from Florida, Zadan was drawn to New York City due to the booming Broadway musical industry, and even helped write a Broadway tribute to famous creator Stephen Sondheim (Zadan).
Critical Evaluation:
I love this musical. Growing up I was never a kid that was interested in musicals (although, I did join the techies for theater in high school because my friends were techies) but for some reason this is the exact musical that switched it for me. Maybe it’s because I was plus sized like Tracy, or because I recognized Zac Efron from High School Musical, or Amanda Bynes from The Amanda Show. I honestly could list dozens of reasons why I may have fallen in love with this musical and they all would be correct. There is something so beautiful about the story line of someone not changing who they are just for love, and for being willing to stand for their morals and ethics even if their crush won’t stand beside them.
Now, as an adult and avid history lover, I enjoy all the subtle nods to camp movies, John Waters’ small cameo as the flasher (he created the original Hairspray movie the musical was based on!), and the amazingly stacked cast-list. I would say, as far as critiques go, my biggest problem is some of the language used within the movie - as much as it is a period piece, there are some more “modern” words that do not necessarily need to be included. While I understand that there is division among fans due to John Travolta playing Edna Turnblad (Tracy’s mother) and being a man in a fat suit and drag for the part, I still think it was perfect casting. Many find problems with not having an actual fat woman casted for Edna, but in the O.G. Hairspray Edna was played by Divine, a known icon in drag! Overall, this musical just feels like home and I’ll always cry when Link accidentally hurts Tracy’s feelings and laugh when Seaweed says they’ll call the NAACP if anyone tries to break him and Penny up.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
Hairspray would honestly be a great way to get a group of young adults together to learn different hairstyles and techniques with the help of a local stylist. Hair care seems like a simple part of life for most people, but there are many who never learn the basics of braiding or curling or any form of styling while growing up. Although the musical is not specifically about hair care (but my goodness the hairstyles are intense) it is a great way to bring a life skill class/lesson into the library, and to even help some young adults practice how to do their hair for homecoming/prom!
Speed-Round Recommendation:
It’s 1962 in Baltimore and all Tracy Turnblad wants to do is dance on the local Corny Collins Show - too bad for her she doesn’t “fit” the aesthetics of the cast. Not only does she have to fight against her own insecurities and the expectations of others, but she has to fight against segregation all at the same time. As Tracy dances her way to Miss Teenage Hairspray, and a desegregated Corny Collins Show, she falls in love with heart-throb Link Larkin. It’s one “big” adventure for Tracy and Link, all ending in an even bigger musical number.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
Hairspray deals with the difficult conversation of the history of segregation in a less intense way, but there are definitely still some people who would rather never have that conversation at all. The fact of the matter is that events like this took place and not speaking about them does not make them go away. Also, the American Library Association (ALA) has in their Library Bill of Rights that libraries and their librarians should not exclude materials just because they may be controversial, especially if those materials relate to historical matters. “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion).
Watch the trailer for the original Hairspray by John Waters!
Reason for Inclusion:
This is a personal inclusion, it is one of my favorite musicals: Hairspray has a lead who is plus sized, fighting for desegregation, and trying to fall in love even with her own insecurities. Unlike other musicals that tend to be geared towards young adults/teens, Hairspray does not treat the audience as dumb. Finally, I wanted to include it so as to make sure there was a musical involved in my genres as I feel like ignoring them is wrong, and the amount of songs blends well with the dialogue parts of the movie.
References
Craig Zadan. (2007, July 21). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Zadan
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. (n.d.). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/EDI
Neil Meron. (2008, March 2). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Meron
Sung, E. (2018, July 12). 11 Types of Apples to Know. Epicurious. https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/types-and-varieties-of-apples-article