Royal Caribbean’s Oasis to Debut Musical “Hairspray”

Royal Caribbean International’s 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas will debut the Tony award-winning musical “Hairspray” in December. One of two productions to take place in the Opal Theater, “Hairspray” will be offered three or four times on each seven-night cruise itinerary. Royal Caribbean licensed the show for three years aboard Oasis of the Seas with an option for a fourth year.

“Hairspray” earned eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, during its near seven-year run on Broadway, which came to an end in January and is currently playing in London’s West End. Set in 1962, the show follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big aspirations who wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show,” and finds herself transformed into an overnight teen sensation.

The show has been trimmed just slightly to fit within the average 90-minute run time consistent with Royal Caribbean’s theater productions, but the high-energy musical numbers will remain.

Oasis of the Seas will offer other entertainment, including an aerial show yet to be formally announced, which also will be performed in the Opal Theater. Entertainment Place, one of seven neighborhoods on Oasis of the Seas, which will a lounge filled with live jazz and blues.

Comedy Live will feature comics while Studio B will be the place for an ice show featuring the writings of Hans Christian Anderson. The AquaTheater at the stern of the ship will host a comedy dive show and aquatic acrobatics synchronized to music and lights.