BRUNSWICK – Maine State Music Theatre will end its 2007 season with the musical “Hairspray” – the story of Tracy Turnblad, a girl in the heart of the 1960s who is out to win the love of teen-star Link Larkin.

Full of big hair and pop rock, this heartwarming musical won eight Tony Awards in 2002, when it debuted on Broadway.

The play, based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, will be staged by MSMT at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus Aug. 8 through Aug. 25. The show has been produced in association with Ogunquit Playhouse and will move from MSMT to Ogunquit Playhouse Aug. 28 through Sept. 15.

Leading the cast for MSMT is newcomer Alison Faircloth as Tracy, the big-hearted girl with an even bigger dream; and MSMT Executive Director Steven Peterson as Tracy’s exuberant, but slightly over-protective mother Edna, a role that is traditionally played by a man.

Portraying Link is Colin Campbell McAdoo, a recent graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a first-time performer at MSMT.

Before Tracy can get the guy though, she has to get on the popular teen dance TV show “The Corny Collins Show.” Curt Dale Clark, who was recently seen as Trevor Graydon in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” returns with his comedic talents to play the charming host, Corny Collins.

Along the way, Tracy has the help of her best friend, Penny Pingleton, and Penny’s boyfriend, Seaweed. Alex Ellis, making her MSMT debut, plays Penny, and Eric B. Anthony, most recently seen as one of the Jimmys in “Grand Hotel,” will portray Seaweed.

Out to foil Tracy’s plan is teen queen Amber Von Tussle, played by Lindsay Devino, and Amber’s mother, Velma Von Tussle. Reincarnating the role of Velma will be Susan Cella, who played this role in the National Equity Tour of “Hairspray.”

Playing Motormouth Mabel, the outspoken leader of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution, will be Jacqueline B. Arnold, also in the first National Equity Tour of “Hairspray.”

Rounding out the cast are notable MSMT veterans: Tiffany Janene Howard, John-Charles Kelly, Ed Romanoff, and Connie Shafer.

Donna Drake is director and choreographer and Brian Cimmet is musical director.

Performances are at Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus. Tickets are available through MSMT’s box office at 725-8769, or online at www.msmt.org.

The new major motion picture with John Travolta was based on this musical incarnation, which was itself based on the original 1988 film.