The 1988 film was adapted to a stage performance and first took to stage on Broadway in August 2002 where it was excellently received. Hairspray the Musical received thirteen nominations for various Tony Awards and successfully won eight of those nominations. The buzz of the show travelled to London and the production of Hairspray began in October 2007 at the West Ends Shaftsbury Theatre.
The musical received much of the same praise and was nominated for eleven Laurence Olivier Awards and successfully gained four of them including the Best New Musical award. The show has proved so successful at Shaftsbury Theatre in the West End that their is discussion of extending dates from the planned April 2009 end date. The popularity of the musical has spread internationally with performances planned in Helsinki, Tokyo and Johannesburg, South Korea, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil and China.
The interested generated by the musical led to an updated version of the film being released in 2007 which was a blockbuster hit. The musical, and the film, are family friendly, high paced but with a moral undertone that makes the entertaining and compelling. The interest in the musical means that to secure cheap Hairspray tickets pre-booking is essential as shows continues to sell out.