Adam Shankman, Putting New Moves on 'Hairspray'

Fresh Air

Published July 19, 2007 at 9:58 AM EDT

Adam Shankman cozies up to <em>Hairspray</em> co-star Queen Latifah at the film's Los Angeles premiere. — Adam Shankman cozies up to *Hairspray* co-star Queen Latifah at the film's Los Angeles premiere.

John Waters' movie Hairspray, about a full-figured teen who bops her way to popularity (and fights for racial integration) on a TV dance show in '60s Baltimore, was a cult camp classic that became a hit Broadway musical. Now that stage musical has been re-adapted into a film — starring John Travolta, no less, in the role created by Waters' drag-queen muse Divine.

We talk with director and choreographer Adam Shankman, who directed The Wedding Planner and choreographed Boogie Nights — not to mention the legendary musical episode of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

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