Hairspray at Orpheum Theatre

Hairspray always delivers, and that encompasses an incredible story, a talented cast, and, of course, some of the most awesome music ever written for a musical. Tracy Turnblad, an out-of-the-ordinary over-weight teen from Baltimore, Maryland, has one aspiration in life: to dance on "The Corny Collins Show." She learns some of their dance moves while serving detention with the school's African-American students and eventually makes it onto Corny's show. Tracy, who became an overnight sensation, uses her newfound celebrity to promote racial equality on the show. Tracy is targeted and hounded by Velma, the network producer, and her popular but venomous daughter, Amber.

As the story unfolds, Tracy successfully incorporates "The Corny Collins Show" with the assistance of teen heartthrob Link, host Corny Collins, and Motormouth Maybelle (who hosts "Negro Day" on Corny's show). Hairspray, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical, is one of the most practiced musicals today not only because of its elegance and humor but also because of the productive message it sends about recognizing one's differences and moving forward. Tracy Turnbald's amazing story inspires us to look beyond superficial differences like skin color and advocate for the basic human rights of all people.