Hairspray's Star-Studded Virtual 'You Can't Stop the Beat' Is Infectious

The virtual rendition of Hairspray's "You Can't Stop the Beat" to raise money for the Actors Fund is also one of the most infectious, feel-good performances of its kind since shelter-in-place orders began nearly two months ago.

The star-studded video kicks off with three Tracy Turnblads: Ricki Lake, who starred in the original John Waters's original 1988 classic, Marissa Jaret Winokur, who originated the role on Broadway, and Nikki Blonsky, who played Tracy in the musical film version in 2007. From there, beloved performers including Harvey Fierstein, Andrea Martin, Jackie Hoffman, Andrew Rannells, Matthew Morrison, Michael Ball, Kristin Chenoweth, Laura Bell Bundy, Alex Newell, Jenifer Lewis, Billy Eichner, Sean Hayes, and Randy Rainbow appear.

Soon after Broadway theaters went dark in March, Rosie O'Donnell held a 3.5 hour fundraiser for the Actors Fund, which helps everyone from performers to wigmakers to ushers. The "We Can't Stop the Beat" video is the latest fundraiser to help people in the theater world who are out of work during the pandemic.