Hairspray to Set Sail on Royal Caribbean; Auditions Announced

A 90-minute version of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray is set to debut on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas when the ship sets sail from Fort Lauderdale in December 2009. The show granted an exclusive license to Royal Caribbean for three with an option for a fourth year.

According to a news release, performances of Hairspray will be offered three or four times on each seven-night cruise itinerary. No details about the production were revealed, although a 90-minute version that opened in Las Vegas in 2006 cut the “Miss Baltimore Crabs” number and eliminated a subplot about Little Inez auditioning for The Corny Collins Show.

Auditions for professional singers and dancers interested in performing in Hairspray will be held in four cities beginning May 9: Los Angeles Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios, May 9-11, London Saddler Wells Theatre, May 25-27, Chicago Hubbard Street/LouConte Dance, June 4-6 and New York Ripley-Grier Theatre, June 8-10. For more information, go to www.royalcaribbeanproductions.com.

Royal Caribbean is touting Oasis of the Seas as largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world,spanning 16 decks, encompassing 220,000 gross registered tons, carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy and featuring 2,700 staterooms.