THE Drama Critics Circle yesterday chose “Hairspray” as the best musical of the year.

The critics also honored Richard Greenberg’s “Take Me Out” as best play and Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads” as best foreign play.

Proposals for special awards for “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” “Medea” and Twyla Tharp were nixed.

Circle members include critics from New York magazine, The New York Post, The Daily News and Newsday.

Variety’s Charles Isherwood is the group’s president and will host a party for the winners May 20 at Sardi’s.