Ricki Lake

John Waters is known for his 1988 film Hairspray, was remade as a Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway. But in John Waters' 1988 original, it was an 18-year-old Ricki Lake who was first tapped to play the lead role of Tracy Turnblad. Watch a video of Lake and Waters' full speeches, along with the unveiling of the star now!

John Waters: Pope of Trash opened at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures over the weekend. The exhibition includes the costumes from Waters' Hairspray film, which inspired the Tony-winning musical of the same name. Props from Waters' 1990 film Cry Baby, also inspired a Broadway musical, are also featured. Check out photos!

Funny Girl gets a Brazilian production directed by Barchilon, starring Giulia Nadruz and Eriberto Leao as protagonists. With score by J. Styne, and lyrics by B. Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein.

I had the incredible pleasure of talking to Marilu Henner on her upcoming show at the Write-Off Room Music and Memories on September 23, 2023. She completely wowed me with her uncanny detailed memory of her illustrious career. Marilu is only one of twelve people in the world who has hyperthymesia, or in laymen’s terms: total recall memory. Accompanying Marilu on her one-nighter will be musical director Michael Orland on piano.

It was a Hollywood who's who from music, film, television, and social media last night at the world famous Dolby Theater for the 20th Anniversary Tour opening night of HAIRSPRAY starring Andrew Levitt aka Nina West.

Rosie O'Donnell moved from standup to television, film and the Broadway stage before finding widespread success as a talk-show host. Now, she's moving 'Onward' into the podcast world! BroadwayWorld sat down with O'Donnell to discuss the new podcast, also taking a look back on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, her love of Broadway, and more.

O'Donnell moved from standup to television, film and the Broadway stage before finding widespread success as a talk-show host. Upcoming guests to the podcast include Sharon Gless, Jenifer Lewis, Fran Drescher, Ricki Lake, Camryn Manheim, Kathy Griffin, The TikTok Bubbie, Kristin Chenoweth, Dylan Mulvaney and Natasha Lyonne.

Added to the list were Disney’s beloved “The Little Mermaid,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian De Palma’s adaptation of “Carrie,” and the 1950 film version of “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Also included were Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man” and the unforgettable romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally.”

Tony Award winning producer Michael A. Jenkins today announced the cast for the special by-invitation-only industry reading for the new musical BELVA - Don’t Give Up Before the Miracle on Friday June 10th at Pearl Studios (500 Eighth Avenue).

Laura Bell Bundy headlines Holmdel Theatre Company's next installment of its 'Broadway at the Barn' series on Saturday, July 16. The Broadway favorite will perform a solo concert called 'Born to Entertain,' which takes audiences through a journey of her life and career.

Tony Award winning producer Michael A. Jenkins will present special by-invitation-only industry reading for the new musical BELVA - Don’t Give Up Before the Miracle on Friday June 10th at Pearl Studios (500 Eighth Avenue).

On his last day alive, Jimmy, played by James Carrozo (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar), will show his estranged brother, salt-of-the earth caretaker, sharp-witted death doula, an obituary writer, a cosmic being, and the guests at his FUNeral that sometimes the art of living is the art of dying. The film also features Ricki Lake and Debra Wilson.

RuPaul's Drag Race stars MRS. KASHA DAVIS and DARIENNE LAKE have teamed have teamed up once again, this time for the New York debut of 80'S LADIES II: THE MIXTAPE! Performances are Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3 at 7pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street -- at Ninth Avenue).

LA's favorite vintage musical comedy trio, The Apple Sisters, present their hit show “Holidoozy Merry Christ-mess Special” for one night only - a throwback to the days of Big Bands, Slapstick, and Modest Product Endorsement (sponsored by Buddy's Bargain Blowout) with a modern twist. Candy (Rebekka Johnson), Cora (Kimmy Gatewood), and Seedy Apple (Sarah Lowe) entertain the live radio show audience and the “troops overseas” in three-part harmony with their original Christmas tunes.

The View celebrated Halloween today with a special tribute to movie musicals! The episode featured Whoopi Goldberg as Audrey II, Joy Behar as Magenta from Rocky Horror, Sara Haines as Satine from Moulin Rouge!, Sonny Hostin as Deena from Dreamgirls, and Ana Navarro as Evita! Ricki Lake also appeared as Tracy Turnblad. Watch clips from the show now!

Television and comedy star John Thomson (Cold Feet, The Fast Show) will join the smash hit UK tour of Hairspray as Wilbur Turnblad this Christmas for three weeks at Blackpool Winter Gardens (13 December – 2 January).

It has been announced that musical theatre star and television presenter Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise) will star as Motormouth Maybelle in the UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray.  Comedy legend Norman Pace (ITV's The Hale and Pace Show) will play Wilbur Turnblad alongside West End leading man Alex Bourne (Annie, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You) as Edna Turnblad.

Though Barbra Streisand remains Broadway's most beloved Fanny, plenty of legends have taken on the role over the last six decades.

Musical theatre star and television presenter Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise) will star as Motormouth Maybelle in the UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. 

Today, ABC Entertainment announced an overall deal with Emmy® Award winner, six-time Mirrorball champion dancer and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough.