Open Auditions for Lead Role in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!”

Open auditions for NBC’s Broadway Musical Television special “Hairspray Live!”

NBC is planning another live, TV musical and this time, NBC is producing “Hairspray Live!  “Hairspray Live!”  is scheduled to air on NBC on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

The show is now in pre-production and will holding open auditions in NYC for the lead role role of Tracy.

NBC announced at the beginning of this year that Hairspray would be the next Broadway musical that NBC will create a live, TV special around. The network had previously produced “The Wiz Live” and “Peter Pan Live” as TV specials. According to Variety, much of the original stage production’s creative team will return for NBC’s live televised special.

NBC announced that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron producing the musical. Set to direct is Kenny Leon ( “The Wiz Live”) and Jerry Mitchell will choreograph the TV special. Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are also on-board for “Hairspray Live!“. Other networks have recently joined the trend. FOX’s “Grease Live” seemed to be a hit and “Dirty Dancing” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” are both on their way to the small screen.

Hairspray is set in Baltimore in 1962 and follows Tracy Turnblad, an avid dancer and fan of “The Corny Collins Show,” an “American Bandstand” type show that she would love to appear on and eventually does.  Tracy becomes inspired by the events of the 60’s including the Civil Rights movement and becomes a heroine in the story.  “Hairspray Live!”  will be based on John Waters’ original 1988 film titled “Hairspray” which starred Ricki Lake as Tracy. In 2002 a staged musical was produced which ran on on Broadway between 2002 and 2009. In 2007 another ‘Hairspray” movie was produced which starred   Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes and Queen Latifah.

According to THR, the chairman of NBC Entertainment, Bob Greenblatt commented about the upcoming special by saying “In keeping with our desire to bring the best of Broadway to our live musicals, we’ve assembled the Broadway dream team of Tony Award winners for Hairspray Live.” He also added that “Hairspray” is a musical that “seems really fun, and I think it will be really great live.”

The shows casting directors are holding open auditions for the lead role of Tracy in NYC. The show is seeking a heavyset female who can sing and dance. The character is described as Outgoing, unstoppable, lovable, vibrant and she’s a dance machine. Actress must be over the age of 18 but able to play high school age. Auditions will be held in New York City on the 24th of April 2016. Please see the attached casting flyer for more information.

Welcome to the 60s! Open call for TRACY in HAIRSPRAY LIVE! on NBC!