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"Give me a chance
'Cause when i start to dance i'm a movie star
Oh, oh, oh
Something inside of me makes me move
When i hear the groove"

Nikki Blonsky knocks your socks off, grabbing your heart string with a smile, a song, and some serious dancing. Who'da thunk the girl scooping ice cream at Cold Stone would make pop culture history.

My 7 year old and I are fans of the original "Hairspray" the movie staring Ricki Lake and a celebrity cast which included Sonny Bono, Debbie Harry, Jerry Stiller, Pia Zadora and the unforgettable Devine. We weren't sure what to expect from a remake of the movie. Would the story line be the same, were the songs going to be the same? Where the characters going to try and be the exact same as in the original movie?

We arrived to the theater about 10 minutes early, at least I thought we were early - the line was out the door. It was madness. Luckily, I'm a prepared mom and I purchased our tickets online (thanks movies.com). We got great seats right in the center of the theater. It was filled with groups of women who must have been in their early 50's (I mean tons of thems).

Hairspray opened with a great song that introduced us all to newcomer Nikki Blonsky. I was so nervous for her (mommy instincts I guess). She belted out, "I Love You Baltimore" and immediately won us over. The bubbly teen proved she could hold her own. And Hold her own she did along a celebrity cast with greats like, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifa and heart-throb hottie to all 7 year olds - Zac Effron.

The music was great, the cast was excellent. Who knew Michelle Pfieffer could sing or that John Travolta would be great in drag. The Queen held her crown as she belted out "I know where I've been", the movies only song hitting a serious note on the issues of the era. She brought tears to my eyes and earned a standing ovation in the theater.

The crowd applauded enthusiastically, it was contagious. We all knew the cast could not hear us, but who cares - they deserved it anyway. I felt my 7 year old melt every time Zac Effron came on screen. You could hear the coos of other little girls in the theater. The giggles and chuckles were abound as a sheepish Edna Turnblat leaves her house for the very first time in over 10 years.

Needless to say, HAIRSPRAY was groovy baby and if you haven't seen it, it's well worth the $10.25 (plus snacks). I'm gonna see it again and have added this one to my list of DVDs to buy.

Learn more about this author, Myra Roldan.
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