A big hair day

" Hairspray," the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2003, comes to Shea's Performing Arts Center April 11-13.

It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away when "Hairspray," Broadway's musical comedy phenomenon and winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, returns to Shea's Performing Arts Center from April 11 to 13.

In "Hairspray" it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a pleasantly plump teenage girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a television show without denting her 'do?

Find out when performances take place at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at Shea's Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo.

"Hairspray" is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. The musical features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Tickets are $22.50-$52.50 and are available through the Shea's box office, 650 Main St., by calling Ticketmaster at 852-5000 or online at www.sheas.org. For group sales, call 829-1154.