“Hairspray” Stars Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy Reunite for New Off-Broadway Show (Exclusive)
'Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now!' kicks off performances at New York City's New World Stages on Nov. 2
It's been over 20 years since Hairspray premiered on Broadway. But time has only strengthened the bond between three of its original stars: Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy.
The three actresses — who played Tracy Turnblad, Penny Pingleton and Amber Von Tussle, respectively, in the stage musical adaptation of John Waters' 1988 cult comedy — were Broadway babies when they first graced the stage in the Tony Award-winning best musical. But two decades later, they're returning to the boards together as mamas in a new Off-Broadway show they created together.
Fittingly called Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now! after the Hairspray tune they brought to life eight times a week, the musical event finds the trio revisiting the show that helped launch their careers and lifelong friendships while also reflecting on the journeys they've been on since.
This show will debut at New World Stages in New York City on Saturday, Nov. 2, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal, ahead of an official opening night on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The limited-run production is currently scheduled through Sunday, Dec. 8.
"I love performing with such strong women," Winokur tells PEOPLE. "Our lives have changed so much over the last 22 years, but when we are back on stage together, it is like time stood still."
‘We have each other’s back on stage as well as off," says Bundy. "It’s so wonderful to work with two women I not only love as friends and confidents, but who I admire for their talent and comedic timing."
Between them, Winokur, 51, Butler, 53, and Bundy, 43, have appeared in 16 Broadway shows and numerous on-screen projects — from Beetlejuice to Big Brother, Mean Girls to Legally Blonde, Wicked to Beauty and the Beast, the Country Music Awards and everything between them.
"They’ve done it all — and now they’re back to do it again, just for you!" a release states.
Attendees can expect a night of nostalgia with behind-the-scenes stories, musings on motherhood and plenty of examples of the fierce and funny friendship that's formed between these stage legends.
"We opened Hairspray together as young women, sharing this truly extraordinary moment in Broadway history,' Bundy says. "We came up together, cheered each other on as we had subsequent successes, and have been a part of each other’s lives through so many of life’s transitions — even into motherhood. Our show will take you on that journey."
Of course, there will be music, too, with musical director Andrew Byrne driving a collection of creative mashups, original medleys and hilarious parodies. Iconic Hairspray hits like "You Can’t Stop the Beat" and "I Can Hear the Bells" will also be featured, a release states (though one would assume "Mama, I'm a Big Girls Now!" will also have a slot on the setlist).
Related: Laura Bell Bundy Found a Sense of Empowerment in Motherhood — and Put It Straight Into Her New Music
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Hairspray opened up to rave reviews on Aug. 15, 2002, and would go on to win eight Tony Awards including best musical, best original score (Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman), best book (Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan), best director (Jack O'Brien), best actor (Harvey Fierstein) and a best actress trophy for Winokur.
The musical — about a teen who, in 1960s Baltimore, becomes an overnight sensation when she earns a spot on a popular dance show, which she later helps integrate — played 2,642 regular performances and 31 previews before closing on Jan. 4, 2009. Other stage versions in London and on tour followed.
In 2007, a movie musical adaptation was released directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman. It starred John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney and Nikki Blonsky as Tracy.
NBC's Hairspray Live!, directed by Kenny Leon and Alex Rudzinski, aired in December 2016 with another superstar cast including Harvey Fierstein (reprising his Tony-nominated role as Edna Turnblad), Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Dove Cameron, Ephraim Sykes, Andrea Martin and Maddie Baillio as Tracy.
Tickets for Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now! are on sale.
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