"Hairspray," a new musical having its pre-Broadway tryout at the 5th Avenue Theatre, is fun. Almost everything about it is fun: the acting, the songs, the dancing, the story, the staging, the scenery, the costumes and especially the wigs.

But wait, there's more fun still. "Hairspray" even has some serious themes that turn out to be fun. Social justice, self-acceptance, internal conflict, human solidarity and political struggle are fun. Even jail is fun.

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There's a moment in "Hairspray" when a street poster of the Dynamites, a black female singing trio clad in spangly red sheath dresses, springs to life. The comely Dynamites suddenly pop off the wall to shimmy down a Baltimore street, belting out a righteous R & B anthem, "Welcome to the '60s," and channeling the soulful force of Martha and the Vandellas.

It is one of many exhilarating moments of delighted cultural recognition in the robust new show "Hairspray," premiering at the 5th Avenue Theatre before it moves to Broadway.

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AFTER THE RECENT decade of atrocious "pop moment"-to-stage musical transformations (terrifying adaptations of Fame, Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, and let's just back quietly away from that frothing Copacabana over in the corner . . . ), no one had any right to expect that a John Waters film could safely find its way to a genre in which the corn is as high as an elephant's eye. But Hairspray, which had its world premiere at the 5th Avenue Theatre last week and heads for the Great White Way later in the summer, is the real thing: honest, unprefabricated joy that sends a crowd out remembering a fat girl who trills "this morning life was like a fairy tale/Now I can't make bail."

Hairspray, the musical, catches Waters' irreverent puncturing of white-bread culture and expands on it with a bouncy finesse that punctures the white-bread culture of the American musical itself. Anyone who craves the singular theatrical thrill that only a musical can provide should be hugging themselves until they bleed, but perhaps the show's sneakiest triumph will be its appeal to those guiltier audience members: people who hate to love musicals and vice versa. The show, Simpsons-style, lampoons the idea of a Broadway tunefest while raising your spirits as a Broadway tunefest.

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The press opening of "Hairspray" at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater was beset by gremlins, including uncooperative sets and sound problems. The show even had to be stopped and restarted after the opening number due to "technical difficulties." But it took only three snappy, candy-colored scenes to demonstrate that writers Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, composer-lyricist Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman have a shiny new hit on their hands.

OK, maybe only two scenes.

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High spirits, high-energy musical numbers and sky-high hairdos are the high points of "Hairspray," the Broadway-bound stage show playing at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre through Sunday.

Adapted from Baltimore auteur John Waters' 1988 movie of the same name, "Hairspray" is raucous yet sweet, colorful and comic. And though it's fun from start to finish, it's hardly a piece of fluff. Set in 1962 in Waters' beloved Baltimore, it trumpets a message of acceptance and tolerance in its tunes - engaging, anthemic numbers by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman - and its lines, written by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. (Jack O'Brien directs.)

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When the curtains opened to reveal that enthusiastic "hair-hopper," all aglow in the spotlight, belting out "Good Morning Baltimore," the 5th Avenue Theatre was beaming right along with her.

Not to mention sporting their own bouffants, as several audience members were.

The 5th Ave. is currently hosting the world premiere of Hairspray, a brand new musical of the campy 1988 John Water's classic that epitomized the culture of the early '60s. The production, which was so one-shot that the 5th Ave. started its season early in order to capitalize on it, will head directly to New York after its closing in Seattle. Being such a historic event, it's no wonder theater goers and Waters' obsessives alike are as giddy as say, Ricki Lake in a candy store.

And after last Thursday's opening performance, they certainly have reason to be.

Marissa Jaret Winokur stars as Tracy Turnblad‹the spunky, chubby, lovable teen, whose hair is as big as her dream to get on a local dance show. Her performance is consistently vibrant and energetic as the role commands. Winokur, who has done mostly minor roles in films like American Beauty and Scary Movie (not to mention various TV guest-appearances), proves that she's the perfect leading lady for this production.

Alongside Winokur is two time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, who, although he said he would never do drag again, co-stars as Tracy's mom, Edna Turnblad. His trademark two-packs-a-day voice kills as he gets sassier with every dab of tafetta. He and Winokur make for some fabulously funny "mother"/daughter moments on stage, as they each add something of their own fresh twist on these previously well-performed characters.

The same goes for the rest of the cast. Kerry Butler as Tracy's quirky, reality-deprived friend Penny Pingleton is a riot every time she opens her squeaky mouth. Rhyming Motormouth Maybelle (Mary Bond Davis), Tracy's father Wilbur Turnblad (Dick Latessa), and the bottle-blonde, vanity-queen Van Tussles (played by Laura Bell Bundy and Linda Hart) light up every scene they're in. And the dazzling array of flamboyant '60s garb, some truly awesome up-do's, and an incredible set design illuminated with hundreds of background lights (that often flashed to the tunes and bore really neat designs) made the experience all the more grand.

Through it all we're carried through by throes of wonderfully catchy, all orginal songs, wild dance numbers, and a crazy plot that touches on issues of weight, race, integration, sex, and of course, love. The musical stirs up about an equal serving of each, making the new Hairspray like a tall glass of lemonade‹sugary, but balanced with the tartness of realistic concerns and fiery innuendo.

See this landmark performance before it says, good night Seattle and hello Broadway.

Are you ready for some hair hoppers? Are you ready to be on the Corny Collins Show? That¹s right ­ the creators of the new Broadway bound "Hairspray" musical have chosen Seattle¹s 5th Avenue Theatre to premiere their work! Wow!

The creative team itself has won numerous accolades and awards! The stars have an extensive list of accomplishments, credits and awards as well! Everyone is already very excited about the casting of Harvey Fierstein as Tracy¹s mother Edna. Marissa Jaret Winokur is already turning heads as Tracy.

But what about Penny? Who¹s going to play Tracy¹s best friend in the whole world? That honor goes to none other than the darling Kerry Butler. Not only has she wowed crowds as Belle in "Disney¹s Beauty & The Beast", but she won over the hearts of everyone this past season Off Broadway as Shelley in "Bat Boy The Musical". She¹s just so darn cute you can¹t help but love her!

I was able to track Kerry down in between a rigorous rehearsal schedule in New York (the cast is now rehearsing here in Seattle). Times sure have changed when we can actually do an interview over the computer. What will they think of next?

Mom: Is this your first time to Seattle?
Kerry: It is my first time to Seattle- and I'm very excited!!!

M: You¹ve done several original musicals ­ including one of my favorites "Bat Boy". How does it make you feel to know that this role is now and forever yours?
K: This is my first original Broadway role to create! The great part about that is the rehearsal process: lines are going in and out. It is fun to come up with new stuff, and then there are the other perks: cast album and press and occasionally FREE STUFF!

M: What is the hardest thing you¹ve had to endure with this project? The $5 phone ringing charge? (They were charged $5 every time their cell phone went off in rehearsals to give to Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.)
K: I pulled a muscle in my groin-ouch!

M: You play Penny Pingleton ­ Tracy¹s best friend. Is your role much like it is in the movie where you are permanently positively punished for a whole list of things?
K: I am permanently punished, I haven't watched the film since I was a kid, so I don't know what other similarities there are.

M: Oh don¹t say that ­ it makes me feel so old! Don¹t you think that Penny is just misunderstood and ahead of her time?
K: I think Penny is just in her own world, and always looks for the positive, so she doesn't realize she is altering people's views.

M: Speaking of altering people¹s views: what is it like to be working with such cultural icons as John Waters and Harvey Fierstein?
K: It is a blast! When Harvey and John are together, I am constantly laughing!

M: Tell me, does Penny get a solo?
K: Penny does not get a solo!!! But we are in a trial period so you never know what will happen. Please write in! Penny needs a solo! Just kidding.

M: I think that Penny should have a solo! (Was that convincing enough?) Which of the characters in the show do you most closely relate to?
K: I would probably relate to Penny or Tracy because I was an outcast growing up too. I can't go into any more details or I might break down and cry.

M: Oh don¹t cry pumpkin. Trust me, I was too! But look at us now! This is totally out of left field but what is your favorite article of clothing?
K: My favorite article of clothing is way too hard! I love them all and they love me! Harvey always makes fun of me because I never wear the same outfit twice. If I had to pick - I would pick my striped pants.

M: Hopefully I¹ll get to see them when you¹re in town ­ if you bring them along. Where is your favorite place to be?
K: My favorite place to be is Disneyworld - no joke! I've already gone 3 times this past year.

M: You¹re as big a kid as I am! I have never been to Disneyworld ­ but I love Disneyland! When I was going to school at Cal Arts I forced my dormmates to go with me almost every weekend! I can be pretty strong when I need to be. Which is better strong in mind or strong in body?
K: Strong in mind but strong in spirit is most important.

M: Ah, so true. You have an infectious giggle. Do you like to laugh?
K: I laugh a lot! I love Absolutely Fabulous!

M: So do I! My friend Ryan and I dress up on occasion as Patsy and Eddie. Perhaps we¹ll do it for you while you are here. That would be fun. You could be our Saffy! Although I don¹t see you getting angry and upset that easily. What makes you angry?
K: Hypocrites make me angry. That and the way they pronounce the letter Z in England. I mean, ŒZed¹ what the heck is Zed?

M: Okay calm down honey! No need to get worked up. Come on ­ you¹re playing with me. Speaking of which ­ if you could play any instrument, what would it be?
K: I would play the tuba, cause nothing says sexy like the tuba!

M: (Laughing) Okay. Sure. Whatever you say darling! If you could have a super power what would it be?
K: The Power of Cheese! Behold the power of cheese! That and I'd to fly!

M: (Laughing) You are too much young lady! But I love it! You¹re so silly. If you could describe yourself in one word ­ what would it be?
K: Idiomorphic. (I don't know what it means, but it sounds good)

M: Actually, darling, it means something having its own characteristic form. And you are truly one of a kind, my dear. I think you hit the nail on the head! What¹s the worst feeling you¹ve ever had?
K: The worst feeling I ever experienced was that time I was in Nam and had to run through the bush with Charlie on my tail, and a twenty pound anti-aircraft gun on my back. Oh the horror, oh the horror. Oh wait, that was "Apocalypse Now." I had an eyelash in my eye once - that was annoying.

M: Girl, you¹re crazy! I love it! Your days must be just a laugh a minute. What do you think of when you first wake up in the morning?
K: Nothing gets between me and my Count Chocula!

M: What do you consider ­ besides your cereal ­ to be the most important thing in your life?
K: God.

M: We all have to have something and he¹s a pretty good guy to know. Okay, I know you¹ve seen the Actors Studio on Bravo. So get ready ­ I¹m going to get all James Lipton on you. What¹s your favorite word?
K: Cheese sandwich.

M: Okay. What¹s your least favorite word?
K: Knuckle sandwich.

M: What is the sound or noise that you love?
K: I love someone singing with just a guitar, either that or a piano.

M: What sound or noise do you hate?
K: Simple. I hate the sound of a fork scraping a plate.

M: What profession, other than your own, would you like to try?
K: I would like to be a kindergarten teacher.

M: What¹s your favorite curse word?
K: I don¹t really curse. But if I had to choose one I¹d pick mother f**********er.

M: Well ­ that¹s succinct! If Heaven exists what do you want them to say to you as you enter the Pearly Gates?
K: Welcome back Kerry! Now hurry up there's no line at Space Mountain!

I could have continued giggling with her forever. I¹m sure she¹s keeping them on their toes at rehearsals! Be sure and get your tickets now for what I¹m sure will become another Broadway Smash! Go so you can say you knew Kerry when she was in Seattle! Stop by the 5th Avenue Box Office or online at www.hairsprayonbroadway.com. You¹re not going to want to miss this show or you¹ll be joining Penny being positively permanently punished.