Character guide
Tracy Turnblad
from Hairspray
Tracy Turnblad is the upbeat, big-hearted teenager chasing her dream of dancing on television in Hairspray, the 2002 musical set in 1960s Baltimore.
- Show
- Hairspray
- Broadway premiere
- 2002
- Role
- Lead
- Music by
- Marc Shaiman
Tracy Turnblad: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 1988 film, 2007 movie musical and Hairspray Live! (2016)
Tracy began as a non-singing role: John Waters' 1988 film is a comedy with a period rock and roll soundtrack, not a musical, and Ricki Lake played Tracy there. Marissa Jaret Winokur originated the singing Tracy on Broadway in 2002 and won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.
Nikki Blonsky made her film debut as Tracy in the 2007 movie musical, and Maddie Baillio played her in NBC's Hairspray Live! in 2016. Lake and Winokur both turn up in the 2007 film's end-credits version of Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now, a song otherwise cut from that film.
Who is Tracy Turnblad?
Tracy is an irrepressibly optimistic high schooler who dreams of dancing on a local television show despite facing ridicule over her size. When she finally gets her shot, she uses her new platform to push for integration on the program, turning a personal dream into a larger fight for inclusion and fairness in her community.
Her boundless enthusiasm and refusal to be discouraged make her an instantly likable lead, and her arc from overlooked outsider to confident advocate gives the show its warm, hopeful heart underneath the period setting and comedy.
Playing Tracy Turnblad on stage
Tracy is a lead role that calls for a bright, energetic belt voice along with strong comedic instincts and real dance ability, since the character is constantly in motion throughout the show's 1960s-inspired numbers. The part requires a performer who can sustain high energy from start to finish while still landing the character's sincerity in quieter moments.
Because Tracy is so relentlessly likable and her journey so feel-good, the role has become a favorite for performers who want a part that blends comedy, heart, and big, joyful production numbers.
Tracy Turnblad: frequently asked questions
What show is Tracy Turnblad from?
Tracy Turnblad is the lead character in Hairspray, which opened in 2002.
Is Tracy Turnblad a lead or supporting role?
Tracy Turnblad is a lead role and the protagonist of Hairspray.
Who wrote the music for Hairspray?
Marc Shaiman composed the music for Hairspray.
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