More than 20 years have passed since then Hair spray premiered on Broadway. But time has only strengthened the bond between three of its original stars: Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy.
The three actresses — played by Tracy Turnblad, Penny Pingleton and Amber Von Tussle in the stage musical adaptation of John Waters’ 1988 cult comedy — were Broadway babies when they first graced the stage in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical. But two decades later, they’re back on the boards together as moms in a new Off-Broadway show they created together.
Aptly named Mom, I’m a big girl now! after Hair spray tune they brought to life eight times a week, the musical event finds the trio revisiting the show that helped launch their careers and lifelong friendships, while also reflecting on the journeys they’ve been on since.
The play will premiere at New World Stages in New York on Saturday, November 2, PEOPLE exclusively reveals, ahead of the official opening on Wednesday, November 13. The limited edition production is currently scheduled until Sunday, December. 8.
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“I love performing with such a strong woman,” Winokur tells PEOPLE. “Our lives have changed a lot in the last 22 years, but when we’re back together on stage, it’s as if time has stood still.”
“We have each other’s backs on stage and off,” Bundy says. “It’s so wonderful to work with two women who I love not only as friends and confidants, but admire for their talent and comedic timing.”
Marissa Jaret Winokur, Laura Bell Bundy and Kerry Butler.
Michael Kushner
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Between them, Winokur, 51, Butler, 53, and Bundy, 43, have appeared in 16 Broadway plays and numerous screen projects — from bug juice to Big Brother, Mean girls to Legally Blonde, Wicked to Beauty and the BeastCountry Music Awards and everything in between.
“They’ve done it all – and now they’re back to do it again, just for you!” edition states.
Attendees can expect a night of nostalgia with behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on motherhood, and plenty of examples of the fierce and funny friendships formed between these stage legends.
“We opened Hair spray together as young women, sharing this truly remarkable moment in Broadway history,’ says Bundy. “We’ve appeared together, cheered each other on as we achieved success, and been a part of each other’s lives through so many life transitions — even into motherhood. Our show will take you on that journey.”
Of course, there will be music too, with musical director Andrew Byrne unleashing a collection of creative mash-ups, original twists and hilarious parodies. Iconic Hair spray hits like “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “I Can Hear the Bells” will also be featured, according to the release (although one would assume that “Mama, I’m a Big Girls Now!” will also have place on the set list).
Laura Bell Bundy has found a sense of empowerment in motherhood — and put it directly into her new music
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Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler and Marissa Jaret Winokur at the 2003 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Never miss a story — subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hair spray opened to rave reviews on August 15, 2002 and won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman), Best Book (Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan), Best Director (Jack O’Brien) , Best Actor (Harvey Fierstein) and Best Actress trophy for Winokur.
Musical — about a teenage girl who becomes an overnight sensation in 1960s Baltimore when she gets a spot in a popular dance show, which she later helps integrate — it played 2,642 regular performances and 31 previews before closing on 4 January 2009. Other stage versions in London and on tour followed.
In 2007, a film musical adaptation directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman was released. It starred John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney and Nikki Blonsky as Tracy.
NBC’s Hairspray live!directed by Kenny Leon and Alex Rudzinski, aired in December 2016 with another superstar cast including Harvey Fierstein (reprising his Tony-nominated role as Edna Turnblad), Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Dove Cameron, Ephraim Sykes, Andrea Martin and Maddie Baillio as Tracy.
Tickets for Mom, I’m a big girl now! are for sale.
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Source: HIS Education