The musical Hairspray is set in June in the year 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. The main character, Tracy, is an overweight young girl. The young girl dreams of becoming famous. If you do not have front row seats, you will want to bring your opera glasses so as not to miss a heartbeat of this fast-paced musical.

Tracy hears on the television that The Corny Collins Show is having a dance contest and she excitedly wants to enter the contest. Her overweight mother frowns at the idea. (You may have heard actor John Travolta played this part in the movie Hairspray.) Tracy’s mother is just trying to protect her dear daughter out of love as she does not want people to make her daughter a joke for being overweight. Plus, her mother thinks the show plays racist music.

Tracy does make it to the audition with permission from her father, Wilbur. While she is auditioning she meets the popular hunk Link Larkin. Get ready to put on your opera glasses as you will want to catch Tracy’s eyes light up just as yours may have back in high school. Tracy daydreams that she and Link Larkin will end up together one day. She sings absolutely beautiful songs about her love sick dream. Tracy is awakened from her sweet dream as she does not make the cut to be on the show due to her weight, just as her mother suspected would happen.

After the audition, Tracy returns to school down trodden, but as luck would have it, her troubles do not end just yet. Tracy is given detention simply due to the fact that her hair is just so big, her big hair causes such a problem, because those that sit behind her in class are not even able to see the chalkboard. For this reason, the musical Hairspray, is named Hairspray.

As Tracy sits in detention, she meets a black boy named Seaweed who offers to teach her some dance moves, Tracy picks him up on the offer and is taught some amazing moves. Tracy also finds out that there is a dance scheduled, which she attends with Seaweed. While attending, Tracy shows off some of the amazing moves that she has learned, but it is not just those from her school who are watching, but the owner of the T.V. show that is featuring the big dance contest, the owner happens to catch Tracy’s moves and is impressed, he then invites her to be on the show. Remember to use your opera glasses at this point to see Tracy’s face as her dreams come true.

Again after all this Tracy finds more good news, Link Larkin, the love of her life is to sing a romantic song to her on the show! Amber, who is another girl that attends Tracy’s school is also in love with Link, finds out, and decides to take her rage out on on Tracy, cruelty ensues, including knocking Tracy out with a volleyball.

As the play continues, Tracy and others are invited to the record show that Seaweed’s mother owns, A party is planned for all that attend. All during this time, Tracy becomes close friends with Seaweed, and is enraged to find out that blacks are only allowed to attend the Corny Collins T.V. Show once a month on “Negro Day” Tracy begins to fight for blacks rights. To find out how Hairspray ends, you will have to attend, but it will be a wonderful experience for all who go.

Hairspray is a magnificent musical that you are sure to enjoy. To get the most out of your enjoyment bring your opera glasses.

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!