NEWARK, NJ. (Top40 Charts/ New Line Cinema) - New Line Cinema's film Hairspray hits the big screen on Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. with a gala premiere in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's 2,750-seat Prudential Hall. A full evening of activities is planned to honor the return of one of the film's stars,
Queen Latifah, to her hometown of Newark.
The fun-filled evening will include family friendly pre-screening festivities, a Hollywood-style red carpet celebrity arrival ceremony, a VIP cast party, and fireworks and additional entertainment in NJPAC's Theater Square after the screening. In addition, Queen Latifah will be honored with a formal presentation of her star on NJPAC's 'Walk of Fame.' She also will receive an honorary induction into the Women's Association of NJPAC, in recognition of her continual philanthropic support of Newark.
Hairspray is an adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway production and comes 16 years after the release of John Waters' cult classic about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show. In addition to Queen Latifah, the comedy features a remarkable collection of talent including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Zak Efron, Elijah Kelley, Jerry Stiller, Paul Dooley and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as the film's heroine Tracy Turnblad.
'Set during the eve of the civil rights movement, Hairspray is a celebration of tolerance and acceptance. These themes resonate deeply in the City of Newark, where this summer we are celebrating our triumph over the adversity of the past and the bright promise of the future,' said Barbara Bell Coleman, co-chair of the Cultural Legacy Committee of the Women's Association, which will be the host of the evening.
'This is going to be a great celebration for Newark and New Jersey,' said Pat Ryan, co-chair of the Cultural Legacy Committee. 'And it is particularly fitting that Hairspray is the first major studio release to have its premiere at NJPAC. The film is about hopes, dreams and the innate dignity of all people - all values exemplified by the Arts Center in its first decade. This is a great prelude to Queen Latifah's scheduled performance at our Spotlight Gala on October 20, also featuring The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.'
Gabriella Morris, vice president, Community Resources at Prudential Financial, added, 'Prudential is delighted to help welcome Queen Latifah home to Newark. She is an amazing talent and role model and a true inspiration to young people and aspiring performers the world over. We are grateful for Queen Latifah's commitment to her hometown – which is also the headquarters city for Prudential. And we are pleased to partner with the Cultural Legacy Committee and New Line Cinema to bring this very exciting premiere to the people of Newark and New Jersey.'
VIP tickets for the Hairspray screening and festivities are $250 and include VIP parking, invitation to a special pre-screening cast party and premier seating for the movie. Family/Corporate VIP packages are available and include five tickets for $1,000. All VIP tickets include a tax-deductible donation of $50 to sponsor a child who would otherwise be unable to attend the premiere. This, along with sponsorships from Prudential Financial, New Line Cinema, The Lipper Family Foundation, the MCJ/Amelior Foundations, Cover Girl Queen Collection and Curvation, will allow hundreds of young people from Newark community-based organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs to attend the celebration. General tickets also will be available for $50 and $20. For ticket information, call 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722) or visit the Arts Center's website at www.njpac.org.
Hairspray is produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Chicago), and directed and choreographed by Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House). The new screenplay for Hairspray was written by Leslie Dixon (Freaky Friday, Outrageous Fortune). Hairspray opens nationally on July 20.
The Women's Association is NJPAC's largest annual donor, raising more than $2 million annually to support programs and activities at the Arts Center. Since its founding in 1994, the Women's Association has raised more than $23 million for NJPAC.
