Continuing our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of HAIRSPRAY – The Musical, my guest this week is the show’s original choreographer JERRY MITCHELL who shares with us a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look into the creation of that Tony Award winning musical -- especially in regard to the how the show’s unique staging, choreography, design, as well as many of its most memorable moments were first dreamed up and executed!

You will also get an inside view of Jerry’s close collaborations with Hairspray’s director, Jack O’Brian, lead producer Margo Lion, set designer David Rockwell, and Tony Award winning songwriters Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. You will also have the opportunity to hear excerpts from the show original "demo recording" featuring vocals by Annie Golden and Jenifer Lewis!

20 years ago I had the great privilege of being part of the birth of Hairspray – The Musical because at that time I served as the Producing Artistic Director of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater where the show received its World Premiere.

This is my 3rd episode celebrating HAIRSPRAY’s 20th. Last week I had the great pleasure of having Marc & Scott as my guests, and a few weeks ago, on Episode 71, my guest was one of the show’s original producer’s, Adam Epstein, who is now the host of his own podcast called Dirty Moderate.

Please feel free to listen to these episodes on any order as each of my guests brings their own specific memories and perspectives to the celebration.

Jerry Mitchell is a two time Tony Award winner whose work on Broadway includes the choreography for You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Rocky Horror Show, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, La Cage Ax Folles, and Catch Me If You Can - and the direction and choreography for Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, On Your Feet, and Pretty Woman.