Fierstein won his fourth Tony Award, for Leading Actor in a Musical, for his work in Hairspray. He previously won for Leading Actor in a Play and Best Play for Torch Song Trilogy in 1983 and Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles in 1984, making him probably the only person to have won Tony Awards in those four different categories. Since returning to Broadway, Fierstein has hinted at beginning new projects as a writer or director, though no venture has formerly been announced. He did not reveal the nature of his Bucchino collaboration.
John Bucchino is a cabaret songwriter whose work has been recording by the likes of Barbara Cook and Patti LuPone. He wrote Lavender Girl, one of the three short musicals that made up the Harold Prince-directed 3hree. He also wrote songs for the Dreamworks animated film "Joseph, King of Dreams."