A Message From the Creators of Hairspray
Dear Audience Members,
When we, the creators of HAIRSPRAY, first started licensing the show to high-schools and community theatres, we were asked by some about using make-up in order for non-African Americans to portray the black characters in the show.
Although we comprehend that not every community around the globe has the perfectly balanced make-up (pardon the pun) of ethnicity to cast HAIRSPRAY as written, we had to, of course, forbid any use of the coloring of anyone's face (even if done respectfully and subtly) for it is still, at the end of the day, a form of blackface, which is a chapter in the story of race in America that our show is obviously against.
Yet, we also realized, to deny an actor the chance to play a role due to the color of his or her skin would be its own form of racism, albeit a "politically correct" one.
And so, if the production of HAIRSPRAY you are about to see tonight features folks whose skin color doesn't match the characters (not unlike how Edna has been traditionally played by a man), we ask that you use the timeless theatrical concept of "suspension of disbelief" and allow yourself to witness the story and not the racial background (or gender) of the actors. Our show is, after all, about not judging books by their covers! If the direction and the actors are good (and they had better be!) you will still get the message loud and clear. And hopefully have a great time receiving it!
Thank You,
Marc, Scott, Mark, Tom & John
Director’s Note
When we started working on HAIRSPRAY, I must admit, I had my doubts. I thought to myself, How are we going to ever finish this show? Will we ever get the cast filled? and most importantly, Will everyone work well together? The answers to the first two questions came in due time, as they always seem to do in theatre. The third question concerned me, since many of the cast members came in as strangers to many of the actors and actresses, not knowing what to expect or if they’d all get along. Then a miracle occurred: as each cast member lingered in, they all fit together like puzzle pieces in a giant puzzle, each bringing their own talents and quirks together for a greater good. We became a family. I have personally never been in a show where the cast was so close to one another and so accepting. Above all, the cast respected one another and built each other up. They empathized with one another and avoided passing judgment. They really showed this at the rehearsal when we staged, “I Know Where I’ve Been” for the first time. I gave a long speech about the struggles we all face and how we must use them to help us overcome them in the future. And by the end of the song, we were all in tears. Not necessarily because we all have individually been through such struggles, but because some of our cast members had. And when someone in your family has suffered, you all share the pain. And by doing that, you will overcome. Together. HAIRSPRAY cast, you are my family.
S. A. Mueller
