‘Hairspray’ is NBC’s next live musical

John Waters production will follow ‘The Wiz’

Published

10 years ago

January 14, 2016

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)

NBC announced on Wednesday “Hairspray” will be the network’s next live musical.

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt revealed during a T.V. Critics’ meeting that a live version of John Waters’s “Hairspray” is expected to air in December.

Greenblatt says that no deals for the production have been finalized as of right now.

“We have dream casting, but it’s too early,”Greenblatt told Us Weekly. “We haven’t even gotten that far, but I don’t think we’re going to replicate the movie.”

Greenblatt also told Us Weekly that NBC would love to have John Travolta, who starred in the “Hairspray” movie, star in their version.

“Oh sure, we’d take John Travolta. He did it. I don’t think that’s a possibility, but we’d be thrilled to have John Travolta,” Greenblatt says.

“Hairspray” follows in the footsteps of its live musical predecessors “The Wiz,” “Peter Pan” and “The Sound of Music.” FOX also has plans for its own live production of “Grease” airing in January.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch

2026 Capital Pride Honors presented at ‘Full Fuchsia’ ceremony

Published

20 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Landon Shackelford

The 2026 Capital Pride Honors were presented at The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia on Sunday, June 7. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

Published

24 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.

The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.

This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.

For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.

Out & About

Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

A scene from last year’s Baltimore Pride. This year’s main events take place on Saturday and Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.

The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.

There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.

For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.