With Hairspray raking it in at the box office, the show's first director Rob Marshall (Cabaret) is seeking compensation for his work on the hit tuner, according to Variety. Marshall's involvement with the Marc Shaiman-Scott Wittman-Mark O'Donnell musical comedy began back in 2000 when the five-time Tony nominee and Emmy winner was announced as the director in the press. The show was still developing a second act at the time.

During the summer of 2001, Marshall was replaced by Jack O'Brien (The Full Monty, The Invention of Love) and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. He reportedly left Hairspray to make Chicago's film version, due in movie theatres on Christmas Day, 2002.

Originally a performer (his credits include Cats, Zorba, The Rink and The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Marshall moved to musical theatre choreography with The Kiss of the Spider Woman, for which he received his first Tony nomination. He was doubly nominated in 1994 for She Loves Me and Damn Yankees, which was directed by O'Brien. Marshall was also doubly nominated for Cabaret for both his choreography and as co-director with Sam Mendes.