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John Waters and Hairspray Cast Members at Broadway Belts for PFF

Julie Halston’s annual event reunited the original company of this Tony-winning musical.

| New York City |

March 13, 2018

The 2018 edition of Julie Halston's Broadway Belts for PFF! took place Monday, March 12, at the Edison Ballroom.

Julie Halston poses with Hairspray film director John Waters and Tony-winning Broadway leading lady Marissa Jaret Winokur. — Julie Halston stands between *Hairspray* film director John Waters and Tony-winning Broadway leading lady Marissa Jaret Winokur.
(© David Gordon)

Broadway Belts for PFF! raises money to fight pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a devastating and progressive disease involving scarring in the lungs. PF affects 200,000 Americans and results in more than 40,000 deaths annually. Halston created Broadway Belts for PFF! in 2010. Her husband, newscaster Ralph Howard, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis a short time later and has received a lung transplant.

Performers at the event included Adam Fleming, Alex Getlin, and Andrew Rannells. — Performers at the event included Adam Fleming (left), Alex Getlin, and Andrew Rannells.
(© David Gordon)

The evening, directed by Carl Andress, honored Hairspray producer Margo Lion and reunited cast members Harvey Fierstein, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Andrew Rannells, Jackie Hoffman, Julie Halston, Jenn Gambatese, Adam Fleming, Clark Thorell, John Hill, Judine Somerville, and Hollie Howard with John Waters, Josh Bergasse, David Rockwell, and Bernie Telsey.

Performers also included New York Yankees legend and Latin Grammy nominee Bernie Williams, whose father passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, along with Bryan Terrell Clark (Hamilton), Robert Creighton (Frozen), Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda), Stephanie Gibson (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Chester Gregory (Motown the Musical), and Alex Getlin.