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Legendary John Waters Talks Baltimore & 'Hairspray' Coming to BSO

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Hairspray is coming back to Baltimore this time as a symphony.

Today, the legendary John Waters came here to WJZ to talk to about his inspiration for the story and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performance of Baltimore's favorite musical.

A teenage dance show filmed at WJZ inspires the John Waters classic "Hairspray".

Kartalija: "You're in the room, where the buddy dean was filmed! "

Waters: "I can feel,  I  can feel the Buddy Deane vibes around me."

The Buddy Deane Show was on in the late 50's early 60's. Canceled over controversy surrounding the integration of black and white dancers.

"It was like a soap opera. A teenage soap opera that you watch every day," said Waters.

Hairspray, has since been adapted to Broadway, and now a performance at the BSO.

"This movie, somehow, the movie, the play, every new version they are doing of it, seems to speak to all people.  No matter what their politics are," Walters says. "It really is mind your own business, don't judge other people until you know the whole story."

Hairspray tells the story of Water's childhood which of course includes big hair.

"At night, they had to wrap it with toilet paper, how sexy, what did their husbands think?  What's the matter with you? Don't touch my head!" Walters says.

Waters, who says doesn't actually use hairspray, splits his time between Baltimore and three other cities, but says here he feels most at home.

"It's like being at your own funeral and hearing the nice things they say about you," he says.

When asked where he'd like to see hairspray performed next, John Waters says, "Outer Space."

There will be five performances of hairspray at the BSO

The show runs from June 2nd to 5th at the Meyerhof.

For more information CLICK HERE.

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