N.J. to host 'Hairspray' premiere

NEWARK, N.J., July 16 (UPI) -- Newark, N.J., is rolling out the red carpet for the cast of the new movie musical, "Hairspray."

Expected to attend Tuesday night's premiere at the Presidential Hall of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center are New Jersey native Queen Latifah, her co-stars James Marsden, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley and Nikki Blonsky and director Adam Shankman.

The event will serve as a welcome home celebration for Queen Latifah, who will be presented with a replica of her plaque on the New Jersey Walk of Fame by city officials.

Hundreds of school children, as well as stilt-walkers, celebrity look-a-likes, magicians and dancers are to be on hand for pre-screening activities in Theater Square Plaza.

The film version of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hairspray," which was based on John Waters' 1988 movie of the same name, will open nationwide Friday.

Co-starring John Travolta, Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer, "Hairspray" is about star-struck teenagers living their dreams on a local Baltimore dance show in the 1960s.