John Waters' world comes full circle

'Hairspray' travels from Hollywood to Broadway

By ROBERT HOFLER

1988
February New Line releases John Waters' "Hairspray."
March Divine dies at 42.

1998
March Legit producer Margo Lion sees "Hairspray" video and tells herself, "This is a musical!"
June Lion obtains option from New Line Cinema.

1999
June Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman write "Good Morning, Baltimore" and other "Hairspray" tunes.
October Mark O'Donnell starts penning book.

2000
May Rob Marshall helms one-act reading with Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur. New Line brass attend.
November Marshall helms complete tuner at 42nd Street Studios.

2001
June Marshall leaves to do "Chicago" movie. Jack O'Brien replaces him. Thomas Meehan comes aboard to co-write book. Jerry Mitchell named choreographer.
December O'Brien does readings at Westbeth.

2002
June "Hairspray" opens at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theater.
August Broadway preem wows aud at Neil Simon Theater. Big $9 million advance.

2003
April Show recoups $10.5 million capitalization.
June "Hairspray" wins eight Tonys, including musical, lead actor (Fierstein) and lead actress (Winokur).
September "Hairspray" comes home to Baltimore. National tour kicks off with Bruce Vilanch.

2006
September Shooting begins on the Adam Shankman-helmed "Hairspray," starring John Travolta and newcomer Nikki Blonsky.
December It's a wrap.

2007
July The movie has biggest opening weekend ever for a tuner: $27.4 million.
August The stage musical lights five candles. Total cum to date: $206.3 million.
October Auds in South Africa and London get their first look at "Hairspray."

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969968.html

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