Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Musical Film

Hairspray

Hairspray is a 2007 American musical film directed by Adam Shankman.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Hairspray is a 2007 American musical film directed by Adam Shankman, based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name. It follows teenager Tracy Turnblad as she pursues her dream of dancing on a local TV show in 1962 Baltimore while pushing for racial integration.

What it is

The film adapts the Tony Award-winning stage musical, which itself was inspired by John Waters’s 1988 film. It blends musical comedy with social commentary, centering on Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), a plus-size teen who wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show and uses her influence to fight segregation.

Key details

Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Leslie Dixon, the film features an ensemble cast including John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, and Zac Efron as Link Larkin. The story is set in 1962 Baltimore and tackles themes of body positivity, acceptance, and civil rights.

Why it matters

Hairspray was a critical and commercial success, noted for its upbeat treatment of serious social issues. It remains a popular entry in the musical film genre, with themes of inclusion that resonate broadly, including with Canadian audiences who have enjoyed stage and screen productions of the story.

In short

  • Based on the 2002 Broadway musical, not directly on John Waters’s 1988 film.
  • Follows Tracy Turnblad’s fight to integrate a TV dance show in 1962 Baltimore.
  • Directed by Adam Shankman, with a star-studded cast including John Travolta and Queen Latifah.
  • Combines musical comedy with themes of body positivity and racial equality.
Canadian angle

Hairspray has been staged and screened in Canada as part of the long-running popularity of Broadway and film musicals, and its themes of inclusion and social change have broad appeal to Canadian audiences.

Quick questions

What is Hairspray?
It is a 2007 musical film about a teenager who joins a TV dance show and advocates for integration in 1962 Baltimore.
Is Hairspray based on a true story?
No, it is fictional but set against real social issues of the era and inspired by John Waters’s earlier film.
Who directed Hairspray?
The 2007 film was directed by Adam Shankman.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_(2007_film)
    Supports: 2007 film details, director, cast, setting, and adaptation chain
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hairspray-1988-film
    Supports: Original 1988 film by John Waters and its significance
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_(musical)
    Supports: Broadway musical origins, setting, and story premise
  4. Playbill — https://www.playbill.com/production/hairspray-neil-simon-theatre-vault-0000000844
    Supports: Broadway musical synopsis and creative team