‘Hairspray’ fizzles out on Vegas Strip
An abbreviated production of “Hairspray” is closing in Las Vegas this weekend after a disappointing 15-week run.
Co-producers Michael Gill and Myron Martin announced the closing date to the cast and crew on Monday. The musical, about an oddball set of teen-agers who love to dance, apparently didn’t mesh well with Vegas’ Strip.
“We make this decision with regret and disappointment, but with the reality that the show did not find the audience it needed for us to continue,” Gill said in a statement.
The musical, based on John Waters’ 1988 film, got off to a wobbly start when the 90-minute version of the Tony Award-winning production was delayed several months.
It opened at Luxor Las Vegas on Feb. 15 with Harvey Fierstein reprising his Broadway role as housewife Edna Turnblad and, according to the Associated Press, was booked for a four-year run.
Fierstein ended his stay in late April, with “MADtv” sketch comedian Paul Vogt taking his place.
The cast’s final performance is Sunday.
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