The hit stage musical Hairspray is coming to Australia – with choreographer Jason Coleman planning to apply his magic touch to the show.
The multiple Tony Award-winning dance musical about an overweight teenager growing up in 1960s Baltimore will start at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from October, with Coleman to choreograph and David Atkins to direct.
Coleman, a judge of television’s So You Think You Can Dance, says he plans to take the musical to a higher level.
The show ran on Broadway in New York for six-and-a-half years and will finish its run in London’s West End later this month.
“I think we are going to do a recreation of the show that is definitely due now,” Coleman told AAP.
“We’re doing a cutting-edge, technologically advanced version of it, and certainly have the intention of taking the choreography to a whole other level than what’s currently being shown on the West End.”
Hairspray is based on the 1998 film written and directed by John Waters.
Set in 1962, it is centred around young Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size dancer who wins a spot on a local TV dance program and is transformed into a teenage celebrity.
In 2007, the movie starring John Travolta, Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky attracted huge audiences.
Just as Blonsky, a former ice-cream shop worker, was picked from obscurity to play the role of Turnblad, Coleman says they will be casting the net far and wide for the Australian stage production.
“We’re about to go into one of the most gruelling audition processes that Australia and New Zealand has ever seen,” Coleman said.
“We’re literally going right back to the basics of it.
“We’re giving everyone the opportunity to come and audition.
“Open call auditions are something that David I and very much believe in.”
Auditions will start next month.
SOURCE: NINE MSN