Hometown fans and film workers shred their garments and tore their hair when producers decided to shoot Hairspray the movie musical - based on Hairspray the Broadway musical, based on Hairspray the 1988 John Waters film - in Toronto instead of Baltimore.

But the moviemakers have put a sheen on Charm City. Though it's debatable they had to go North to do it, maybe it took their outsiders' eyes to bring out the Emerald City in East Baltimore.

HAIRSPRAY PREMIERE / / With John Waters, Adam Shankman, James Marsden, Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Charles Theatre, 1711 N. Charles St. $150; benefits AIDS Action Baltimore. 410-837-2440.