Shane Jacobson in Hairspray

Shane Jacobson will star as housewife Edna Turnblad in a revival of the musical Hairspray at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne this August. David Spicer reports.

In an interview with Stage Whispers the star of stage and screen, best known for his breakthrough movie Kenny, revealed why he took the role.

"It is a musical with great music. Hairspray has fantastic music from start to finish. My kids are excited about me doing it because it is a family favourite," he said.

"My daughter overheard me talking about Hairspray and when she heard I was offered Edna she said, 'Dad you have to do this.' I have never had my kids really excited.  Although i never said I wasn't going to do it, they said you have to."

It prompted me to ask, when have your kids said please don't do a show?

"I will tell you in three words - The Full Monty. Quite easy to answer it."

I take it you are of the hairy persuasion?

"Yes I look like a rug. Shave me and you could cover Tassie in hairs. My daughter said, 'why are you going on stage to take your clothes off?' I said, 'we are trying to raise awareness for cancer.' She said, 'I think you are going to kill people in the process'."

You are not known for your beauty. Now you are getting into a dress. Are you going to shave your beard?

"The beard has got to go. All the things I have been hiding will be revealed. Sorry Australia." 

More from Shane Jacobson in a future edition of Stage Whispers.

The production will open in Melbourne and is expected to tour Australia in 2023.

The season will fulfil a frustrated ambition of leading producer John Frost, who shared in a Tony award as one of the original producers of the musical on Broadway, but was disappointed when another Australian producer scooped up the rights in 2010, for a production which was famous for its use of LED lighting.

Frost was at the first workshop reading of the musical in 2001, featuring actors Matthew Morrison and Harvey Fierstein.

He immediately felt it was going to be a hit with Australian audiences and became a co-producer of the Broadway production. His instincts were correct as it won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, out of thirteen nominations.

He held the rights in Australia but when they were about to expire, his company was sent an email by the show's owner which no-one in the office noticed in time. So he has been biding his time to stage a revival.

“I am thrilled the original Broadway version of Hairspray is finally coming to Australia. It is an irresistibly feel-good and hilarious production for people of all ages to enjoy,” said producer John Frost.

Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, it tells the story of dance-loving teenager Tracy Turnblad who has one dream - to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star and she must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!

The Broadway production of Hairspray also toured nationally across the US, a West End production was nominated for a 11 Olivier Awards and it was adapted as a film in 2007 starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Zac Efron.

Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most popular actors, presenters and entertainers. His  varied career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally, with screen highlights including Kenny; Charlie & Boots with Paul Hogan; Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy; the hugely popular Oddball; The Dressmaker (2015); Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black; The Very Excellent Mr Dundee; Beaconsfield; Jack Irish; Top Gear Australia; Little Big Shots; The Real Full Monty and Australia’s Got Talent.

On stage, Jacobson’s career highlights include a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role for ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls, The Drowsy Chaperone (2010), Shane Warne – The Musical (2013), Mother & Son (2014) and The Rocky Horror Show (2018).

Click here to read more about musicals across Australia in 2022