The musical Hair spray will return to Dutch theaters next October. Comedian Richard Groenendijk has been cast for the major role of Edna Turnblad, who is also celebrating his thirty years in the profession. Theater producer De Graaf & Cornelissen Entertainment announced this on Tuesday.
Hairspray was a hit on Broadway in 2002 and won eight Tony Awards. A few years later the successful film adaptation followed with John Travolta as mother Edna, a role traditionally played by a man. The show is set in America in the 1960s, a time when a lot was changing in society, fashion, music and hairstyles. The story follows mother Edna Turnblad and her daughter Tracy.
Producers Ruud de Graaf and Hans Cornelissen are pleased to bring this well-known musical title back to Dutch theaters. “We are incredibly happy that Richard Groenendijk will play the role of Edna Turnblad. As far as we are concerned, he is the ideal candidate on all fronts,” the producers said. ,,Hair spray makes it clear in a comical and often confrontational way that you should be able to be who you want to be. Whether you are white or black, fat or thin or like to dress as a woman.”
Jubilee Groenendijk
Groenendijk is happy to celebrate his theater anniversary with this role. “In 2025 I will have been on stage for thirty years and I cannot imagine a nicer way to celebrate that anniversary than with the role of Edna Turnblad in Hair spray. I was allowed to play the role a number of times fifteen years ago as a replacement in the then version and there is no more festive musical to be in. In addition, the theme of the performance is also extremely relevant and current.”
De Graaf & Cornelissen Entertainment will be bringing several musicals back to theaters in the near future. The musical will go later this year Saturday Night Fever premiered and they recently announced that they had also acquired the rights for West Side Story. At this moment it is Mamma Mia! which has been nominated twelve times for a Musical Award.
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Tags: Richard Groenendijk takes leading role return musical Hairspray Show
