cast of hairspray uk tour 2021

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Casting for Hairspray 2021/2022 UK and Ireland tour

Bourne ( Annie , Mamma Mia! ) will step into the distinctive high hair and high heels of Edna Turnblad opposite comedy star Pace ( Chicago , The Rocky Horror Show ) who returns to the role of Wilbur Turnblad with former X-Factor finalist turned musical theatre star and TV ‘loose woman’ Edwards ( Chicago , We Will Rock You ) also returning as Motormouth Maybelle.

They will be joined by Katie Brace who will make her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad with Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.

The cast will also include: Elizabeth Armstrong, Bernadette Bangura, Natalia Brown, Shaquille Brush, Liam Dean, Andrew Dillion, Amandla Elynah, Zoe Heighton, Ceris Hine, Paul Hutton, Jamie Jonathan, Hayley Johnston, Joshua Nkemdilim, Rosie O’Hare, Alexanda O’Reilly, Joshua Pearson, Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.

Originally due to begin performances in August last year, Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale’s third major UK and Ireland tour of their successful version of the hit musical Hairspray will follow its opening run in Plymouth by visiting the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre; the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton; Manchester’s Palace Theatre; Sheffield Lyceum; Ipswich Regent Theatre; Aylesbury Waterside Theatre; Liverpool Empire; The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford; Brighton Theatre Royal; Birmingham Hippodrome; Leicester Curve; Nottingham Theatre Royal; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre; Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre; the Grand Opera House Belfast; New Victoria Theatre, Woking; Milton Keynes Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre. The 2022 section of the tour will begin at the Sunderland Empire followed by Wycombe Swan, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, Cardiff New Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, The Orchard Theatre, Dartford and Glasgow King’s Theatre. Further 2022 dates are to be announced.

Directed by Paul Kerryson, the show has choreography by Drew McOnie, musical direction by Ben Atkinson, set and costume design by takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and sound design by Ben Harrison.

Based on cult filmmaker John Waters’ 1988 film which starred Divine and Ricki Lake, Hairspray boasts music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

With Harvey Fierstein starring as Edna, Hairspray debuted to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and the leading actor award for Fierstein.

Premiering in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007, the show won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and the Best Actor Award for Michael Ball.

The touring production featuring direction by Kerryson and choreography by McOnie launched at Leicester Curve in 2015, and returned in 2017 for a second successful tour which ended in August 2018.

Hairspray is one of two major touring productions from Goucher’s independent production company returning this summer with the support of the UK Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan are also due to bring their crowd-pleasing production of hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert back for a number of tour dates from 23 June ahead of a hoped-for West End return.

Angela Thomas

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Alex Bourne , Brenda Edwards , Charlotte St. Croix , Drew McOnie , Hairspray , Jessica Croll , Katie Brace , Mark Goucher , Matthew Gale , Norman Pace , Paul Kerryson , Plymouth Theatre Royal , Rebecca Jane Davies , Rebecca Thornhill , Richard Meek , Ross Clifton

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Home | Our News | Hairspray Announces Casting for 2021 Tour

Tue 20 Apr 2021

Hairspray Announces Casting for 2021 Tour

On at the Regent Theatre

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The smash hit HAIRSPRAY UK and Ireland tour comes to Ipswich Regent Theatre on Monday 23 to Saturday 28 August 2021.

Book your tickets here.

It is announced today that musical theatre star and television presenter Brenda Edwards ( Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise ) will star as Motormouth Maybelle in the UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. Comedy legend Norman Pace ( ITV’s The Hale and Pace Show ) will play Wilbur Turnblad alongside West End leading man Alex Bourne ( Annie, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You ) as Edna Turnblad when the show opens at Plymouth Theatre Royal on 24 June.

Katie Brace will make her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad, with Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny Pingleton and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.

The full cast includes: Elizabeth Armstrong , Bernadette Bangura , Natalia Brown , Shaquille Brush , Liam Dean , Andrew Dillion , Amanda Elynah , Zoe Heighton , Ceris Hine , Paul Hutton , Jamie Jonathan , Hayley Johnston , Joshua Nkemdilim , Rosie O’Hare , Alexandra O’Reilly , Joshua Pearson , Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure .

Hairspray is directed by Paul Kerryson with choreography by Drew McOnie , designs by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and sound design by Ben Harrison .

Producers Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale are now re-launching their touring production of Hairspray which had been due to begin performances in August 2020 but was delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Goucher’s independent producing company will tour two musicals, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert , and Hairspray across the UK this summer with the support of the UK government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

Following on from two extremely successful Hairspray tours in 2015/16 and 2017/18, this smash hit production will visit the following venues in 2021: Plymouth Theatre Royal , Cheltenham Everyman Theatre , Mayflower Theatre, Southampton , Manchester Palace Theatre , Sheffield Lyceum , Ipswich Regent Theatre , Liverpool Empire , The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford , Brighton Theatre Royal , Birmingham Hippodrome , Leicester Curve , Nottingham Theatre Royal , Wolverhampton Grand Theatre , Bord G á is Energy Theatre Dublin , Grand Opera House Belfast , New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Milton Keynes Theatre , Blackpool Winter Gardens, Sunderland Empire, Wycombe Swan, Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton, Churchill Theatre, Bromley, Edinburgh Playhouse and The Orchard Theatre , Dartford . More dates are to be announced for 2022.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way. 

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Diving and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan , Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron.

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Hairspray: Get to know the hit musical touring the UK

Time to let your hair down!

It's big, blonde, and beautiful and it's back touring the UK. Fans of Hairspray the musical will be delighted to know that the feel-good show has hit the road and could be coming to a theatre near you.

For all the information on how to get tickets, who's in the cast and where you can see the tour, read on and prepare to sing your heart out to all the classic hits!

What is Hairspray the musical about?

Set in Baltimore in 1962, Hairspray the musical sees chunky but funky 16 year old Tracy Turnblad set to make it on a local TV dance show, have her dream man fall for her and bring everyone together. Of course, Tracy faces a whole host of obstacles along the way. The only thing bigger than Tracy's dreams is her hair!

Who wrote Hairspray?

Thomas Meehan wrote Hairspray the musical and is also known for writing Annie and The Producers. Mark O'Donnell co-wrote the book with Thomas, Marc Shaiman wrote the music and also co-wrote the lyrics with Scott Whitman.

Who directed Hairspray?

The original Broadway production and the 2021 London revival were directed by Jack O'Brien. The three-time Tony Award winner also produced The Full Monty and has worked on some more contemporary dramas including The Invention of Love and The Piano Lesson.

The UK tour was directed by Paul Kerryson who is the former Artistic Director of Leicester's Curve Theatre.

He's directed various productions of Stephen Sondheim musicals such as Follies, Company, Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures, Into The Woods and Merrily We Roll Along. Other musicals he's directed include West Side Story, on Your Toes, Rent, The Wizard Of Oz, The Rocky Horror Show, 70 Girls 70 and Calamity Jane.

Where can I see Hairspray on tour?

The UK tour of Hairspray will be visiting Woking, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Sunderland, Cheltenham, Northampton, Bromley, Cardiff, Poole, Edinburgh, Dartford and Glasgow.

Who will star in the UK tour of Hairspray?

Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise) as Motormouth Maybelle, Norman Pace (ITV's The Hale and Pace Show) as Wilbur Turnblad, and Alex Bourne (Annie, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You) as Edna Turnblad.

Also joining the cast is Katie Brace, who will make her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad, with Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny Pingleton and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.

Is the Hairspray film based on the musical?

Hairspray the film is based on the musical and was released in 2007 with both the musical and the 2007 film based on the original 1988 comedy of the same name that was written by the legendary John Waters and starred the iconic drag queen, Divine as Edna.

How long is Hairspray the musical?

The show is two and a half hours long including an interval.

How can I get tickets for the Hairspray UK tour?

Tickets and venue information for the touring production of Hairspray are available from the Hairspray UK tour website.

Is Hairspray in London?

During the summer of 2021 a fabulous production of Hairspray ran in the at the London Coliseum which was a welcome addition to the West End following over a year of theatres being shut by the COVID-19 pandemic. The production closed in September 2021.

Who was in the 2021 West End cast of Hairspray?

Michael ball as edna turnblad.

Michael Ball returned to play Edna Turnblad in Hairspray the musical! The double Olivier Award-winning actor first took up the role of Edna Turnblad in 2008, Michael then toured across the UK in the role. Michael has had an extensive career in theatre, television and as a recording artist. Starring in both the West End and on Broadway, Michael made his West End debut in the role of Marius in the original cast of Les Mis . Michael then went on to star in multiple productions including The Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd .

Lizzie Bea as Tracy Turnblad

Lizzie Bea played the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray the musical. Lizzie trained at the National Youth Theatre, the National Youth Music Theatre and the Nation Student Drama Festival, she previously starred in the UK tour of Kinky Boots playing the role of Pat.

Les Dennis as Wilbur Turnblad

Les joined the cast replacing Paul Merton, who had to withdraw after the show's postponement. Les' career in comedy, theatre, and television spans across 50 years. Les was a prominent face of Saturday Night television in the 80s and 90s appearing in the The Russ About Show, The Les Dennis Laughter Show and was the host of ITV's Family Fortunes from 1987 to 2002. In recent years Les has appeared in various stage productions including some with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as spending two years as a regular on Coronation Street after Hairspray he was right back at the Coliseum starring in the English National Opera's production of HMS Pinafore.

Marisha Wallace as Motormouth Mabel

Marisha Wallace played the role of Motormouth Mabel. You'll recognise Marisha for her roles in Waitress the musical and the incredible Effie White in Dreamgirls . Marisha has also had a successful music career alongside performing on stage, most recently recording with Seal and James Blunt and being the special guest of Todrick Hall on during his performances in the UK and Amsterdam.

Jonny Aimes as Link Larkin

Heartthrob Link Larkin was played by Jonny Amies in Hairspray at the London Coliseum. Jonny is most known for his role as Sam in the hugely popular Netflix show Sex Education and fans of the show are excited to see him take to the stage!

Rita Simons as Velma Von Tussle

Rita Simons played Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray. The English actress is most known for her role in iconic soap EastEnders as well as a long career involving being in girlband Girls@Play, roles in London's Burning and Mile High and theatre performances in Legally Blonde the musical and Everybody's Talking About Jamie .

WATCH: The cast of Hairspray perform at Britain's Got Talent

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Buy Hairspray tickets for the ultimate feel-good factor for all the family as this iconic musical returns to the West End

Michael Ball reprises the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray at the London Coliseum next summer, as the upbeat story about dancing and equality runs for a limited season from 22nd June 2021.

Based on John Waters ‘ 1988 film, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore teenager who dreams of dancing on her favourite television show. Her mother Edna is worried she’ll be bullied for her weight, but when Tracy’s moves make her a local celebrity, she uses her new-found fame to campaign for equality and representation.

With a catalogue of 60s inspired songs including “The Nicest Kids in Town” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, Hairspray is a fun and cheery musical about embracing your individuality, with a heart-warming mother-daughter relationship at its centre. The original Broadway production (2002) collected eight Tony Awards, with its West End transfer adding four Olivier Awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Michael Ball .

Ball now returns to the role of Edna Turnblad, having gone on to win an Olivier Award for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street . Before he gets out the big hair and heels for Hairspray , he was recently seen in the all-star concert production of Les Miserables .

Lizzie Bea will star in the iconic role of Tracy Tunblad. Lizzie is currently performing in the UK Tour of Kinky Boots after having returned from Atlanta, performing in the world premiere production of Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre).

Acclaimed West End star Marisha Wallace will take the role of Motormouth. Marisha won rave reviews when she took over from Amber Riley in the smash hit Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre), and has just finished starring in the original West End cast of Waitress (Adelphi Theatre).

Entertainment legend Les Dennis will play Wilbur, replacing the previously announced Paul Merton who has had to step down from the production due to prior commitments. He is best known for hosting TV game show Family Fortunes for 15 years. His stage credits include Chicago, The Addams Family and Me and My Girl.

Also in the cast are Rita Simons (Eastenders) as Velma von Tussle, Jonny Amies (Sex Education) as Link Larkin , Mari McGinlay (Cinderella) as Penny, Ashley Samuels (Fun Home, Motown) as Seaweed, and Michael Vinsen (Follies, The Book of Mormon) as Corny Collins.

Hairspray features music and lyrics from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman , a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan , direction from Jack O’Brien ( The Full Monty ) and choreography by Jerry Mitchell ( Kinky Boots ).

Don’t miss out on Michael Ball ’s return to a beloved character and irresistibly feel-good musical. Hairspray runs at the London Coliseum from 22nd June 2021.

Please note: Michael Ball will not be performing on the following days: 20 July, 17 August and 14 September.

Child friendly?

Hairspray is a feel-good family show, but the exact minimum age recommendation has not yet been confirmed.

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• Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024

Cast announced for new UK tour of Hairspray

Casting has been announced for the new UK tour of hit musical Hairspray this year.

Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, ITV; We Will Rock You, London Coliseum) who has previously played ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray will join the creative team alongside Paul Kerryson (Chicago, Sweeney Todd; Curve Theatre) to helm the new national UK and Ireland tour.

Choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie (In the Heights, King’s Cross Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), the tour will open in Manchester at the Palace Theatre on 16 July 2024 and tour through to July 2025.

Meet the cast

Those on the cast include Neil Hurst (Edna Turnblad), Joanne Clifton (Velma Von Tussle) – with Gina Murray performing the role from 16 July – 7 September only, Michelle Ndegwa (Motormouth Maybelle), Soloman Davy (Link Larkin), Declan Egan (Corny Collins) Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby (Tracy Turnblad), Katlo (Little Inez), Reece Richards (Seaweed) and Allana Taylor (Amber Von Tussle).

Making up the ensemble are Ben Anderson, Grace Anyiam, Nina Bell, Joseph Bristow, Vanessa Dumatey, Rebecca French, Stuart Hickey, Jaiden Lodge, Olly Manley, Sasha Monique, Jacob Smith and Issy Wilman .

Brenda Edwards said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be invited by the producers to make my directorial debut on the show as a co-director with Paul Kerryson. Hairspray, and this production in particular, has been such a huge part of my life. The show’s story and themes are as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to hold the open auditions to discover a new cast and work together to present a vibrant new production of this timeless musical for everyone to enjoy.”

Hairspray tour dates, venues and tickets →

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. It has music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ’do?

Mark Shaiman (Composer/Co-Lyricist) said: “Brenda Edwards has been a part of the Hairspray family since she took on the role of ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle in 2015 and hearing that she is co-directing the latest tour is music to my ears. The strength and soul that Brenda brings to both her performances and her life have already made me a fan and I hope a friend for life, and I can’t wait to see how she brings her personal perspective to our show. Brava Brenda!”

Completing the creative team is set and costume design by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell, sound design by Ben Harrison, musical supervision and arrangements by Ben Atkinson, musical direction by Richard Atkinson, projection design by George Reeve, casting by Grindrod Burton and resident direction by Juliet Gough. Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers.

More on: Brenda Edwards Gina Murray Hairspray Joanne Clifton News

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.

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UK Tour 2021

• View history

You Can't Stop The Beat - Trailer

Trailer for the UK Tour

Originally planned for 2020, the Hairspray 's UK Tour was moved to 2021 due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. [1] [2]

The tour stars will be directed by Paul Kerryson and choreographed by Drew McOnie . [3]

Tour Dates [ ]

Tour dates are currently scheduled from January 11th through the 29th of May, 2021. [4]

*The Eden Court, Dublin, Belfast, Wales, Norwich, Leeds, and Cliffs Pavilion stops are listed on the tour's website, but not on their respected theatre's sites. As such, these dates may be subject to change.

You can't stop the beat!

References [ ]

• ↑ https://www.facebook.com/HairsprayUKTour/photos/a.1611813572441832/2657154577907721
• ↑ https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates/
• ↑ https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/creative/
• ↑ https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/hairspray-2021/
• ↑ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/bristol-hippodrome/
• ↑ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/edinburgh-playhouse/
• ↑ https://ipswichregent.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173602478/events/428266655
• ↑ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/milton-keynes-theatre/
• ↑ https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/sunderland-empire/
• ↑ https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/hairspray-2021/
• ↑ https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/tickets-hairspray-the-Musical-wycombe-2021
• ↑ https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/hairspray/
• ↑ https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/hairspray/
• ↑ https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/hairspray/
• 1 Tracy Turnblad
• 2 Hairspray 2: White Lipstick (Cancelled)
• 3 Penny Pingleton

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HAIRSPRAY UK TOUR – RESCHEDULED DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2021/22

⭐ HAIRSPRAY UK TOUR – RESCHEDULED DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2021/22 ⭐

Newly rescheduled dates have been revealed for the upcoming UK tour of Hairspray, it has been announced.

The UK tour, which was originally due to start from last year, will now open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, playing from 24th June – 3rd July 2021.

Then on to the Theatre Royal Plymouth (24th June – 3rd July), Everyman Theatre Cheltenham (5th – 17th July), Southampton Mayflower (26th – 31st July), Manchester Palace Theatre (2nd – 14th August), Sheffield Lyceum (16th – 21st August), Ipswich Regent Theatre (23rd – 28th August), Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (30th August – 4th September), Edinburgh Playhouse (6th – 11th September), Bradford Alhambra Theatre (13th – 18th September), Theatre Royal Brighton (20th – 25th September), Birmingham Hippodrome (27th September – 2nd October), Leicester Curve (4th – 9th October), Nottingham Theatre Royal (11th – 16th October), Wolverhampton Grand (19th – 23rd October) and Blackpool Winter Gardens (13th December 2021 – 3rd January 2022).

More dates to be announced soon.

This is not to be confused with the upcoming London Coliseum production starring Michael Ball & Lizzie Bea.

Featuring the iconic music & lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this much-loved musical comedy is choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie with direction from Paul Kerryson.

Fabulous! ! !

Thoughts? X x x

Tickets & more info – http://www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates/

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GREG KALAFATAS

Edna turnblad.

GREG KALAFATAS ( Edna Turnblad ). Greg is beyond excited to be touring the country performing a dream role in this dream of a show! A native of Massachusetts, Greg has had the privilege to travel around the country and the world, performing on land and the high seas. Previous national tours include: Something Rotten (Nostradamus), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (The Big Bopper), and The Drowsy Chaperone . Endless thanks to family, friends and the entire Hairspray team for making this dream come true. gregkalafatas.com, @gregkala

CAROLINE EISEMAN

Tracy turnblad.

Caroline Eiseman (Tracy Turnblad) Caroline is honored to be back on the road with Hairspray and in Tracy’s shoes! Regional: The Muny, Stages St. Louis, Studio Tenn. Proud Belmont University Musical Theatre Alum. Love and gratitude to the Hairspray team, Eddie and Take 3 Talent, BUMT, and her incredible family and support system. This dream wouldn’t be possible without them! For Patti and Rick, always. @caroline.eiseman

DEIDRE LANG

Motormouth maybelle.

Deidre Lang (Motormouth Maybelle) Originally from New Jersey, but now based in Las Vegas, Deidre has had an extensive career performing on Broadway and TV. She was originally a Dynamite in the first national tour! Her Broadway credits include Ragtime , The Lion King and Tommy . National Tours: The Lion King , Tommy , School of Rock and The Australian tour of Smokey Joe’s Cafe . Regional credits: Dreamgirls , Ain’t Misbehavin , and The Lion King and Rock of Ages in Las Vegas. She was also an original FlyGirl on Fox TV’S In Living Color .   Deidre dedicates this performance to her daughters, Tyler and Jordan. Let’s Go!

JOSIAH ROGERS

Seaweed j. stubbs.

JOSIAH ROGERS ( Seaweed J. Stubbs). Josiah Rogers, originally from Cleveland, OH,   found his love for performing at twenty one when he was accepted into the world renowned music group, Up With People, with which he traveled the world performing. He went on to study music and traveled across the U.S., Japan and Europe with, The Young Americans College based in Corona, CA.   He is excited to bring his contagious energy everywhere he goes! He would like to thank everyone who has helped him get to were he is now and he is forever grateful for this opportunity. “Performing is what I do! It makes me feel Alive!” IG: @therealjosiahrogers/ TikTok @therealjosiahrogers

SKYLER SHIELDS

Link larkin.

SKYLER SHIELDS (Link Larkin) is thrilled to be returning to Baltimore as the ever sparklin’ Sir Link Larkin! Selected credits include Riff in West Side Story (Florida Rep.), Double J/Tony Cover in Saturday Night Fever (Royal Caribbean) and Conrad Birdie in Bye, Bye, Birdie (The Palace Theater). A huge thank you to Brian K. Herrick and HKA through whom all things are possible and to my friends and family for their love and support! Special thanks EG & KF @skylercshields

RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL

Wilbur turnblad.

RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL (Wilbur Turnblad)- is thrilled to return to the national tour of Hairspray .   Prior to Hairspray, Ralph was living in Beijing China where he was apart of the opening cast of Universal Studios Beijing.   Regional credits: Oliver (Fagan) Mary Poppins (George Banks) Footloose (Rev. Shaw) St. Luke’s Theatre, Assassins (Guiteau) It Shoulda Been You (Albert) The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol, Tuck Everlasting (Man in Yellow) Elf (Walter Hobbs) Newsies (Pulitzer) Orlando Repertory Theatre.   Many thanks to friends, family, and Brian at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency.   Follow me on Instagram @ rprenticed

ANDREW SCOGGIN

Corny collins.

ANDREW SCOGGIN (Corny Collins) is thrilled to bring that Baltimore sound to Hairspray ! National Tour: Annie (Bert Healy, Rooster understudy). Cruise: Grease (Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel). Regional: Ragtime , Evita , Three Musketeers (PA Shakes), Annie , I Love A Piano (Maples Rep), Rock of Ages (Theater Workshop of Nantucket), A Bronx Tale and Mamma Mia! (Prather Productions). Andrew is from Philadelphia and a graduate of DeSales University. Andrew would like to thank Brian, and the Hell’s Kitchen Agency team for all of their support. All of my love to Elizabeth. MDCBP @scoggsmagoggs

CAROLINE PORTNER

Amber von tussle.

CAROLINE PORTNER (Amber Von Tussle). (she/her) is so excited to be making her national tour debut with Hairspray ! Off Broadway: Friends, The Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theater). Regional: Mamma Mia! (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse), White Christmas (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse), Amadeus (Syracuse Stage), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Syracuse Stage), Echoes in the Garden (Chain Theatre), What a Wonderful World (Timberlake Playhouse). BFA Syracuse University. For Mom, Dad, Chelsea and Olivia. IG: @carolineportner.

SARAH HAYES

Velma von tussle.

SARAH HAYES (Velma Von Tossle) is beyond thrilled to be making her national tour debut in Hairspray ! Favorite regional credits: Moon Over Buffalo (Charlotte Hay), White Christmas (Martha Watson), We Will Rock You (Killer Queen), Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff), Oliver! (Nancy) and Julius Caesar (Cassius). Many thanks to her incredible family and friends for being a constant source of strength, laughter and dog videos!

SCARLETT JACQUES

Penny pingleton.

SCARLETT JACQUES ( Penny Pingleton ) is a proud New Zealander, thrilled to be making her US professional debut! Professional Theatre (NZ) credits include: Billy Elliot (Margaret Gormley) and Annie (Kate). Other significant credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Frozen JR – NZ premiere (Anna), The Sound of Music (Maria). Huge thank you to Broadway Dreams, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Cherie Moore and everyone who has supported and believed in me. Much love to Mum and Devan. @scarlettjacques

KAILA SYMONE CROWDER

Little inez.

Kaila Symone Crowder (Little Inez/Dynamite Understudy) originates from Monroe, North Carolina. She’s a proud alum of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, “Aggie Pride”! Performing is my “woosah” moment from life. I strive to be great within each aspect of my craft, but not perfect. I just love sharing the gift that God gave me! Recent credits include; Legoland: New York Resorts as a (Dancer/Tumbler).

MICAH SAUVAGEAU

Male authority figure.

MICAH Sauvageau (Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, Principal, Guard/Edna Understudy) . An Alaska native originally from Chugiak. Thrilled to be returning for another season of Hairspray ! Credits: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Chairman), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Booby), Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely). Thank you to the cast, crew, creatives, production team, and the audience for bringing joy back to the theater! Instagram: @taletreading

EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN

Female authority figure.

Emmanuelle Zeesman (Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher, Matron) is a proud Canadian and is tickled pink to bring this magical show home!National Tours/ Off-Broadway: DuMaurier in Finding Neverland , Aunt Em us/Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz , Adelaide in Guys and Dolls , Fosca in Passion , five seasons with Symphony Orchestras across four continents and Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers (CCC Best Actress Award). Thanks to the creative and casting teams! Love to my Canadian, American and Mexican families! @emmanuellezeesman

ABIGAIL BENSMAN

Abigail Bensman (Brenda, Tracy Understudy) (she/her) is elated to be making her national tour debut! Select credits include: Newsies (Katherine Plumber), Bring It On (Eva), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Ride the Cyclone (Ocean) and Grease (Jan). Forever grateful to the entire Hairspray team. So much love to Brian and her family for their endless support – especially her theatre-loving momma! Follow Abigail’s theatre shenanigans on TikTok and IG @abigail_bens

CONNOR BUONACCORSI

Connor Buonaccorsi (Swing/Edna, Male Authority Figure Understudy) . (he/him) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut in Hairspray . Favorite credits include: A Chorus Line (Mark), Shrek the Musical (Pinocchio), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dan), Kinky Boots (Angel), Speech & Debate (Howie) and Heathers the Musical (Kurt). Proud recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee! Much love and gratitude to family, friends, mentors, Boco, and Avalon Artists Group! IG: @connorbuonaccorsi

ASHIA COLLINS

ASHIA COLLINS (Dynamite/Little Inez Understudy) is so grateful to be part of the cast of Hairspray ! Born in Poughkeepsie NY, Ashia began pursuing her passion at Western Connecticut State University with amazing professors and continued her training with the LINK program. She began her career at the Broadway Palm Theatre and has also worked with RWS and Disney Cruise Line. She would like to thank her family and God for everything.

JOSHUA JAMES CRAWFORD

Joshua James Crawford (Swing) holds a degree in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been blessed to work professionally since 2016. Some of his other credits include TJ in Sister Act, The Musical , Jamal in Escape to Margaritaville , Schroeder in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown , and being a swing in Signature Theatre DC’s production of The Scottsboro Boys . He wishes you many blessing and hopes you enjoy the show! Social media: @joshuajamescrawford

SCOOB DECKER

SCOOB DECKER (Male Authority Figure Understudy/Wilbur Understudy) is thrilled for his eighth tour ( The Wizard of Oz (National & International)/ Anastasia / Moulin Rouge! ) and couldn’t be more excited to help bring Hairspray to life. With a Master’s degree in Integrated Arts and Education (University of Montana), Scoob hosts Pique My Interest, a podcast about creativity and is currently writing an original musical. Recent credits include Truchbull in Matilda , The Little Mermaid , and Murder on the Orient Express . All the love and thanks to Lizzie, Murph and his folks!

AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD

AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD (Swing/ Little Inez Understudy) . (she/her/hers) is a New Jersey/Philly based singer, dancer and actor. She is so excited to make her national tour debut with the cast of Hairspray , which happens to be her very first show when she was 11! Some of her previous credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), Footloose (Prather Productions), Elf The Musical (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre) Spring Awakening (The Grand Theatre). She gives endless love to her loved ones for always supporting her and her dreams! @audrey_floyd

GAVIN GUTHRIE

Gavin Guthrie (IQ). (he/him). National tour debut! Regional: The Prom , Head Over Heels , Titanic and Newsies (Lyric Theatre of OK); Matilda and Frank-N-Friend (Casa Mañana); La Cage aux Folles , Newsies , and Showboat (Interlakes Summer Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Tulsa Project Theatre.). Oklahoma City University Alum. Thanks to Mom and Dad, family, friends, teachers, and the cast/crew of Hairspray for their love and support! All socials: @gav_guthrie

EVAN HUSSEY

EVAN HUSSEY (Brad) is honored to be joining the Hairspray family! National Tour: Elf . Regional: A Chorus Line , Fiddler on the Roof (City Springs Theatre); Mary Poppins , Scrooge (Fireside Theatre); Elf (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); La Cage Aux Folles , Mamma Mia , 9 to 5 (Little Theatre on the Square). Proud Marymount Manhattan Musical Theatre Alum. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, Brian at Hell’s Kitchen Agency, Wheeler, and all cast/crew/creatives involved with Hairspray ! @evanhussey

ALYSSA JACQUELINE

Alyssa Jacqueline (Shelly/Penny Pingleton Understudy). National tour debut! A New York native, Alyssa attended the University of Arizona, earning her B.F.A. in Dance and B.A. in Communications. Some favorite credits include A Chorus Line (Diana), Legally Blonde (Pilar) and Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Special thanks to HR Artists Management and the entire Hairspray team for all their support! Mom, Dad, Richie, Erica, Caitlin, Dan, Isaac, Minnie, Daisy, Jetti and Charlie – I love you endlessly. 1 Corinthians 16:14. IG:@alyssajacqueline__

LEIAH LEWIS

Pearl/dynamite.

Leiah Lewis (Pearl/Dynamite/Motormouth Maybelle Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut in the hit musical Hairspray ! Some of her favorite theatre credits include Escape to Margaritaville , Dreamgirls , Cabaret , Rock of Ages , Little Shop of Horrors , and Jesus Christ Superstar . Leiah wants to give many thanks to the creative team, cast, and all of her family and friends who are constantly supporting her on this journey. IG:@leiahlewis

CHRISTY OBERNDORF

Christy Oberndorf (Tammy/Amber Von Tussel and Penny Pingleton Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! Recent credits include Babette in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Arvada Center), Kate Monster in Avenue Q and Sophie in Mamma Mia! (BDT Stage)”. She’d like to thank her amazing friends and family for all the love. Incredibly special thanks to her Mom, Dad, Michelle and David for their neverending support.   @christy_oberndorf

KYNNEDI MORYAE PORTER

Cindy/dynamite.

KYNNEDI MORYAÉ PORTER (Cindy/Dynamite) is a graduate of The University of Alabama and is thrilled to be making her national tour debut with Hairspray, the Musical ! Regional: Once On This Island (Papa Ge Understudy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Babette) and In the Heights (Yolanda). She would like to thank God, her family, and friends for never giving up on her.  ROLL TIDE ROLL! IG: @kynnfolk

CAROLINE PURDY

CAROLINE PURDY (Lou Ann/Amber & Velma Von Tussle Understudy) National tour debut! Raised in Jersey, Caroline graduated with a BM from Oklahoma City University and is now based in New York. Credits: Beehive (Pattie), Disenchanted! (The Little Mermaid track), Chicago (Roxie), Company (Susan), Ghost (Molly Jensen) and Crazy For You . Endless thanks to her family, friends, and “The Candle Guy” for their support, and the cast, crew, and production team for this wonderful experience! @carolinebpurdy

KALAB QUINN

KALAB QUINN (Duane/Seawood J. Stubbs Understudy) . (he, him) is so excited to be making his national tour debut with a show and role that he can now cross off of his bucket list. He is currently a senior at Valdosta State University. Some of his previous credits include TJ in Sister Act and ensemble in Spamalot at Peach State Summer Theatre. He would like to thank the company and crew for making his dreams a reality, as well as his friends and family for their love and support.

JOSIAH THOMAS RANDOLPH

Josiah Thomas Randolph (Thad/Seaweed J. Stubbs Understudy) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut. He has played various roles such as Seaweed in Hairspray , Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum , Richie in A Chorus Line , C. C. in Dreamgirls and Flick in Violet . Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Sarah. IG: @josiah_randolph

AMY RODRIGUEZ

Tracy turnblad standby.

AMY RODRIGUEZ (Tracy Turnblad Standby/Female Authority Figure Understudy) National tour debut! Recent credits: Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Royal Caribbean), Goldilocks in Goldilocks (Chicago Kids Company), Granddaughter in And Come Apart (The Tank). BA: University of Iowa ‘21 (Go Hawks!)   All her love to her family and friends. Thanks Mom and Dad for always believing in me! @amy.rodriguez

SCOTT SILAGY

Scott Silagy (Sketch/Link Larkin Understudy) is originally from Ewing, New Jersey but is now based in NYC. Select theatre credits include Rock of Ages (Drew, Mountain Theatre Company), Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale Jr., Kelsey Theatre), Head Over Heels (Dametas, Theresa Lang Theatre), and Musical of Musicals ! (Bill/Billy, Theatre at St. Jean). He is thrilled to be a part of this company and is so thankful for this opportunity. Follow along, @scottsilagy on Instagram!

CARA TORCHIA

CARA TORCHIA (Swing/Female Authority Figure Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut in Hairspray ! Regional: 42nd Street , Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , The Drowsy Chaperone , Kinky Boots , The Wizard of Oz (Music Theatre Wichita); West Side Story (South Bend Symphony). Chicago College of Performing Arts BFA ’23. LINK Class 5. Big love and gratitude to her ever-supportive Mom + Sis, family, Hudson Artists Agency, and the Hairspray team. @caratorchia

LILLIANNIE ARIE URGENT

Lilliannie Arie Urgent (Lorraine/Dynamite and Motormouth Maybelle Understudy). (she/her) is overjoyed to be taking on the role of Lorraine in this sensational production of Hairspray . Previous credits include Rusty in The Argyle Theater’s production of Footloose . She extends her deepest gratitude to her unwavering support system: her incredible friends and loving family. Catch a glimpse of her behind-the-scenes adventures, her passion for the performing arts, and her infectious zest for life on her Tik Tok: @lilliurgentsings & IG: @lillianniearie. See you in detention!

JAMES DOUGLAS VINSON

JAMES DOUGLAS VINSON (Fender/Link Larkin & Corny Collins Understudy) is an NYC based actor and is thrilled to be making his national tour debut in Hairspray ! Recent credits include Gunther in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (NCL inaugural cast); Righteous Brother/Nick in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ;   Doug in Descendants (Casa Mañana); Larry in A Chorus Line (Laguna Playhouse). A huge thank you to his friends and family for their endless love and support! @jaames_vinsonn

GABRIEL YARBOROUGH

Gabriel Yarborough (Gilbert) (he/him/his) is so excited to make his national tour debut with Hairspray ! He’s a Junior BFA Acting Major at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Previous credits include TV/Film: Filthy Rich (Young Franklin/FOX and HULU), The 24th (Boy/Amazon Prime). Regional: Cabaret (Victor/GLOW Lyric Theatre). Glory to God! Rep: KUTALENT Agency. IG:@gabriel.yarborough

MARK O’DONNELL

MARK O’DONNELL (Book). Plays: That’s It, Folks! ; Fables for Friends ; The Nice and the Nasty (all produced at Playwrights Horizons), and Strangers on Earth and Vertigo Park (both produced by Zena Group Theatre). He wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Tots in Tinseltown . Mr. O’Donnell collaborated with Bill Irwin on an adaptation of Moliere’s Scapin, and he co- authored a translation of Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear , both for the Roundabout. For Manhattan Theatre Club, he translated Jean Claude Carriere’s La Terrasse . He has published two collections of comic stories Elementary Education and Vertigo Park and Other Tall Tales (both Knopf), as well as two recent novels, Getting Over Homer and Let Nothing You Dismay (both now in Vintage paperback). His humor, cartoons, and poetry have appeared in The New Yorker , The New York Times , The Atlantic , Spy , The New Republic , and Esquire , among many others. He has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Lecomte du Nuoy Prize, and the George S. Kaufman Award.

THOMAS MEEHAN

Thomas won the 2003 Tony Award for co-writing the book for Hairspray, after having won the 2001 Tony Award for co- writing the book of The Producers . In 1977, he received his first Tony Award for writing the book of Annie , which was his first Broadway show, and he has since written the books for the musicals I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand, Annie Warbucks, Bombay Dreams, and Cry- Baby . In addition, he is a long-time contributor of humor pieces, including “Yma Dream” to The New Yorker , an Emmy Award-winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on a number of screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs , To Be or Not to Be, and the film version of The Producers . He is also the co-author for the libretto of 1984 , an opera composed by Lorin Maazel and based on George Orwell’s classic novel of the same name, which had its world premiere in the spring of 2003 at London’s Royal Opera House and was performed at La Scala in Milan. Mr. Meehan is a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

MARC SHAIMAN

Music & arrangements, lyrics.

Marc is a composer/lyricist/arranger/performer working in films, television, musical theater and recordings. He has won several honors, including a Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy, plus seven Oscar nominations.

Opening this fall on Broadway is Shaiman & Wittman’s new musical Some Like It Hot , based on the iconic film. And coming in a year or so after that will be Smash , a play about a musical (based on the TV Show).

Recent projects include Rogers: The Musical for Marvel/Disney+’s Hawkeye , incidental music for the smash Broadway revival of Plaza Suite and the score for Universal’s Billy Eichner romcom Bros .

For Mary Poppins Returns he was nominated for two Oscars, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. His other Oscar nominations have been for Sleepless In Seattle , Patch Adams , The First Wives Club , The American President and South Park-Bigger, Longer & Uncut .

Other film credits include Beaches , When Harry Met Sally , City Slickers , The Addams Family , Sister Act , A Few Good Men , Hocus Pocus , The Bucket List and Hairspray . He and Mariah Carey were nominated for a Golden Globe for their title song for the animated film The Star .

For Broadway, he and co-lyricist Scott Wittman have written Hairspray (Tony & Grammy Awards), Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me , Catch Me If You Can (Tony nom) and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory .

Television credits include Saturday Night Live (Emmy and Golden Globe nom), Smash (Emmy & Golden Globe nom), The Oscars with Billy Crystal (Emmy Award), Bette Midler (final guest with Johnny Carson) and countless appearances with Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Jack Black & Will Ferrell, among others.

He has produced/arranged recordings and performances for Bette Midler, Harry Connick Jr., Peter Allen, Eric Clapton, Diane Keaton, Patti LuPone, Steve Martin, Barbra Streisand, Robin Williams and many more.

His online opus Prop 8 – The Musical was a Webbie Award winner.

SCOTT WITTMAN

Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winning lyricist, director, writer, and conceiver Scott Wittman co-wrote the lyrics for the hit musical Hairspray (Tony, Grammy, Olivier Award) with creative partner Marc Shaiman. Wittman served as an executive producer on the hit film starring John Travolta. Nominated for a Golden Globe, Grammy, and two Emmy Awards for the original songs on NBC’s musical drama Smash . Shaiman and Wittman’s original score for the Marilyn Monroe musical Bombshell was released by Sony Records. Scott and Marc’s Broadway writing credits include Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me , which Scott also directed, Catch Me If You Can (Tony nom. for Best Musical), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway and the West End. And the new Broadway musical of Some Like it Hot at the Schubert Theatre. Scott has created and directed concerts for Patti LuPone. He has created solo shows for Christine Ebersole and Nathan Lane, as well as writing for Bette Midler’s 2015 Divine Intervention World Tour. Off-Broadway, he conceived and directed Jukebox Jackie starring Justin Vivian Bond at La Mama, and Bridget Everett’s Rockbottom at the Public Theatre. His notorious and legendary Downtown shows are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Marc and Scott also wrote the score to Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Meryl Streep. The song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” was nominated for an Oscar.

JACK O’BRIEN

Original director.

JACK O’BRIEN, recently Tony nominated for his direction of the new hit musical, Shucked , has also won three Tony Awards for his direction of Hairspray , Henry IV , and The Coast of Utopia . His other recent Broadway credits include Arthur Miller’s All My Sons , Carousel , The Front Page , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , It’s Only a Play , Macbeth , The Nance , Dead Accounts , Catch Me If You Can , Impressionism , Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nom.), Imaginary Friends , The Invention of Love (Tony nomination and Drama Desk winner), The Full Monty (Tony nom.), More to Love , Getting Away with Murder , The Little Foxes , Damn Yankees , Two Shakespearean Actors (Tony nom.) and Porgy and Bess (Tony nom.). Off- Broadway credits include Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem , Pride’s Crossing , and Hapgood (Lucille Lortel Award). Other productions include Il Trittico at the Metropolitan Opera, Guys and Dolls at Carnegie Hall, Much Ado About Nothing for The Public’s Shakespeare in the Park, Love Never Dies and Hairspray (Olivier nom.) in London, which also saw another revival at the Coliseum in London. Mr. O’Brien was the Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theatre from 1981 till 2007. He has directed six programs for PBS’s American Playhouse. He is the author of two memoirs, Jack Be Nimble, and Jack in the Box, or How to Goddam Direct, both published by FSG. He lives in Connecticut with an exceptional Norwich terrier named Coda.

JERRY MITCHELL

Original choreographer.

For the past four decades, Jerry has created some of the most iconic musicals to play Broadway, the West End, Toronto, Australia, Korea, Japan and Germany, including the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Kinky Boots , for which his direction was nominated and his choreography was awarded the Tony. This was his second Tony for choreography, having won previously for La Cage Aux Folles.  With over 50 productions on stages throughout the world to his credit, Jerry has also received the George Abbott Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, joining many of his mentors as recipient. Starting as a dancer for Agnes de Mille on Broadway in Brigadoon , Jerry thereafter appeared in Woman Of The Year, Barnum, On Your Toes and A Chorus Line and became the associate to Michael Bennett, Bob Avian and Jerome Robbins on such of their shows as Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Scandal, Chess and Jerry’s first show on the West End, Follies. Also on the West End, Jerry has been nominated four times for Best Choreography, with three of those productions winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical— Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde and Hairspray , the latter of which he choreographed with his longtime mentor and collaborator, Director Jack O’Brien. His Broadway debut as Choreographer of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nomination), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nomination and the NBC live television broadcast which followed), Gypsy (starring Bernadette Peters), Never Gonna Dance (Tony nomination), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nomination), La Cage Aux Folles (Tony Award), Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nomination), Catch Me If You Can .  He also directed the Gloria Estefan musical, On Your Feet and directed and choreographed both Kinky Boots and most recently, Pretty Woman . Choreography for Off-Broadway includes Hedwig & The Angry Inch and Jeffrey. For film, Jerry created memorable dance sequences for Scent Of A Woman, The Object Of My Affection, In And Out and Drop Dead Gorgeous , among others. Currently Jerry is developing a new musical based on a book entitled Becoming Nancy . And most importantly, more than 30 years ago Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares , a comedy burlesque show performed annually for the charity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which has raised over $25,000,000 to date and led to satellite organizations with similar achievements, including San Francisco Bares, West End Bares and Italy Bares , helping to care for those afflicted with and affected by AIDS, for which he was awarded the Isabelle Stevenson Award and his third Tony in 2023. He continues to serve as Executive Producer of Broadway Bares and is especially proud of the celebration of life that these shows have given to the world.

Tour Director

MATT LENZ  ( Tour Director ). Broadway:  Hairspray, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Catch Me If You Can, The Velocity of Autumn  (Associate Director on original productions), Disney’s  Beauty and the Beast  (Resident Director). Off-Broadway:  Pageant: The Musical  (Drama Desk nom.),  The Irish Curse ,  Idaho! The Comedy Musical ,  The Great Daisy Theory, Fingers and Toes , and Alan Ball’s  Tense Guy . National Tours:  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ,  The Sound of Music ,  A Christmas Story: The Musical, Cheers: Live on Stage, Catch Me If You Can ,  The Who’s Tommy,  and numerous  Hairspray companies.   International:  The Sound of Music  Global Tour (current),  Charlie  in Australia and productions of  Hairspray  in Australia, South Africa, the UK, Toronto, and Germany. Regional: Numerous plays and musicals at The Ahmanson, Paper Mill Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, the MUNY, Ogunquit Playhouse, La Mirada, Cape Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Forestburgh Playhouse, Zach Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse, Casa Manana. Matt is the Founding Artistic Director of the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival of new plays and  musicals.

ROBBIE ROBY

Tour choreographer.

Robbie has been part of the Hairspray family for 18 years, originally as the dance captain for the Broadway and Las Vegas productions. Select choreography credits include: Joseph… Dreamcoat (staring David Archuleta), Sister Act (Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Tuacahn, Ordway Theatre, and Pittsburgh CLO), Little Shop of Horrors (Sacramento Music Circus), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Shrek (Walnut Street Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus), and Broadway Backwards (New Amsterdam Theatre; NYC). As a performer, Robbie was the dance captain for Broadway/Touring productions of Billy Elliot, Disney’s The Little Mermaid , and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

DAVID ROCKWELL

Scenic designer.

Broadway: Into the Woods ; Take Me Out ; Tootsie ; Kiss Me, Kate ; Lobby Hero ; She Loves Me (Tony, Drama Desk, and OCC awards); On the Twentieth Century (Tony nom.); You Can’t Take It With You (Tony nom.); Kinky Boots (Tony nom.); Lucky Guy (Tony nom.); Hairspray (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC noms.); and the upcoming production of A Beautiful Noise . Off-Broadway: Into the Woods ; Seven Deadly Sins ; Soundtrack of America ; A Bright Room Called Day ; and Shakespeare in the Park . Founder and President of Rockwell Group, an architecture and design firm based in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Madrid. He is the author of four books on architecture and design, including Drama (Phaidon 2021). Honors: AIANY President’s Award, Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Presidential Design Award

WILLIAM IVEY LONG

Costume designer.

Credits: The Producers, Seussical, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Music Man, Contact; Swing!, Epic Proportions, The Civil War, Annie Get Your Gun, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Cabaret, Chicago (New York, London, Melbourne, Vienna, Stockholm, Amsterdam), Steel Pier, 1776, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (New York, London, Las Vegas, tours), Crazy For You (Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Dora awards), London, Toronto (Dora Award), Tokyo; Guys and Dolls (Drama Desk Award); Madison Square Garden’s annual A Christmas Carol; Six Degrees of Separation; Assassins (1991 Obie Award for outstanding achievement); Lend Me a Tenor (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards); Nine (Tony, Drama Desk, Maharam awards); Robert Wilson’s Hamletmachine ; Leonard Bernstein’s A Quiet Place and Trouble in Tahiti (Vienna State Opera, La Scala, Houston Grand Opera, Kennedy Center); The Lost Colony ; Mick Jagger for the Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels tour; Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage Hotel; Paul Taylor; Twyla Tharp; Peter Martins; David Parsons; Susan Stroman.

PAUL MILLER

Tour lighting designer.

Broadway: Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show, Amazing Grace, The Illusionists, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only . National Tours: The Illusionists, Elf the Musical, The Producers, Hairspray, Nunsense . Many commercial Off-Broadway productions and City Center Encores! Regional: The Old Globe, Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Ontario), DC Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Co, Asolo Rep, American Conservatory Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh CLO, and Seattle’s 5 th Avenue Theatre, among others. Ballet: The New Jersey Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet. Television: Live from Lincoln Center, Netflix, Showtime, Comedy Central. International: Productions in São Paulo, Toronto, London, Vienna, Milan (Teatro alla Scala), Manila, Johannesburg, Beijing, Slovenia, Canada, and Mexico. Paul has been the Lighting Director for the internationally televised New Year’s Eve Celebration from New York’s Times Square for the last 20 years. He is originally from Chicago and trained at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

KENNETH POSNER

Lighting designer.

Kenneth designs extensively Off-Broadway, for resident theatres and touring productions throughout the United States, as well as internationally. He began his design career in the early 1990s s the lighting designer for the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA. Selected Broadway credits include One More Time , Saturday Night, Beetlejuice, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, War Paint, Tuck Everlasting, Disgraced, On Your Feet, If/Then, Kinky Boots, Pippin, Cinderella, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde, Catch Me If You Can, The Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck , Other Desert Cities, The Merchant Of Venice, The Little Foxes, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, Finding Neverland, and Wicked.

SHANNON SLATON

Sound designer.

SHANNON SLATON ( Sound Designer ) Broadway designs: My Window; The Illusionists .  National tour designs include: Shrek; Once on this Island; The Producers; Kiss Me, Kate; Noise/Funk; The Full Monty; Contact; A Chorus Line; Tap Dogs; Sweeney Todd; The Wizard of Oz; The Drowsy Chaperone; and The Wedding Singer . He was production sound for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and national tour, and advance sound for Wicked . Shows he has mixed on Broadway include Springsteen on Broadway, Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Annie, Legally Blonde, and Cabaret .

PATRICK W. LORD

Video designer.

Patrick is a projection and video designer, whose work has been seen across the county.  He has designed the National Tours of Hairspray and the new tour of On Your Feet , and was on the video team for the first tour of Mean Girls as the animator.  In addition, he has had the privilege to design critically acclaimed world premieres at theaters like Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts with playwrights like Lauren Gunderson, Finegan Kruckemeyer, Robert Schenkkan and others.  His career also includes extensive work at regional theaters across the country like Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Flatrock Playhouse, Croswell Opera House, Skylight Music Theatre and many more, especially in the Washington DC area, which he calls home.  Outside of his theatre work, Patrick has designed for Grammy award winning musicians and creative directed projects for numerous NBA and NHL teams’ special events.  www.patrickwlord.com

PAUL HUNTLEY

Wigs & hair designer.

London born Paul Huntley is a special Tony Award Winner as well as a Drama Desk recipient. Paul has worked on hundreds of Broadway projects since arriving in this country in 1972. His projects have included Cats; Amadeus; Kiss Me, Kate; The Producers and Hairspray . He has also worked with some of the most talented leading ladies of the American Cinema. They include Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, Mae West, Glenn Close, Angela Lansbury and Jessica Lange. Movies are Christopher Plummer in “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” and Willem Dafoe in “Cirque Du Freak.”

BERNIE ARDIA

Tour wigs & hair designer.

Bernie is a California native with a 40-year career starting in print and television: soap operas and TV specials such as Happy Birthday Hollywood .  Mr. Ardia returned to live theater with David Merrick’s national tour of 42 nd Street .  He has designed for over 75 productions including: Can-Can, Me and My Girl, Showboat, Ziegfeld: A Night at the Follies ; recreating Paul Huntley’s designs for the current NETworks production of Hairspray .  He is very happy to be part of this project and working under the direction of Matt Lenz. Other credits: Ragtime (The Kennedy Center), Dirty Dancing, Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérable s and Oliver, Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (Las Vegas) and Cinderella with Eartha Kitt. Mr. Ardia is proud to have worked with many talented performers and directors in his career including Jeanne Cooper, George Wendt, Hal Prince, Melody Thomas Scott, Mary Wilson, Patrick Cassidy, many Osmonds, Lynda Carter, Makenzie Philips and even Judge Judy! He is also the author of Barbra Streisand in New York City , and presenting the upcoming At Sea with Patrick Dennis, My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame , (pub. Ratteling Good Yarns).

HAROLD WHEELER

Orchestrations.

From the time he conducted the B’way musical Promises, Promises to the year Dreamgirls won six Tony Awards, Harold Wheeler has been in the front ranks of entertainment as a conductor, composer, arranger and performer. Additional theatre credits as orchestrator and music supervisor include CoCo, Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Wiz, Little Me (Tony nom.), A Chorus Line, The Tap Dance Kid, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Fame, The Life (Tony nom.), Side Show, Swing! (Tony nom.), The Full Monty . He acted as Musical Director for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and composed the score for the film Love! Valour! Compassion! He is married to actress/singer Hattie Winston.

KEITH THOMPSON

Music supervisor.

Keith was creator/director/producer of The Cocktail Cabaret which enjoyed a 13-month run the famed Cleopatra’s Barge in Caesars Palace. He is the founder and host of The Composers Showcase, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a platform and forum for composers and songwriters to share their original musical creations at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

As a seasoned conductor/musical director, Keith’s most recent list of professional credits include musical director and conductor for the Las Vegas companies of  Jersey Boys ,  The Producers , Hairspray , and for the North American premier of the hit musical,  We Will Rock You .  The conductor and musical director for the first national tours of Mamma Mia! and Cabaret , Keith also supervised the music for the Australian production of Cabaret in Sydney and won the 2000 Dora Award as musical director of Cabaret in Toronto. Other national tours Keith has conducted include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , with Donny Osmond; Peter Pan, with Cathy Rigby; Jesus Christ Superstar , with Carl Anderson and Ted Neeley; and the 25 th Anniversary tour of the musical, HAIR! as well as concert tours for Sarah Brightman and Jenifer Lewis. In addition, his New York credits include Les Miserables , When Pigs Fly , and Little Shop of Horrors .

Keith Thompson is co-composer of IDAHO! The Comedy-Musical with long-time collaborator, Buddy Sheffield ( In Living Color ).  The musical premiered at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2008 where it received the honor of “Best in Fest.” IDAHO! was presented in a full production at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas in 2016.

Another Keith Thompson original, God Lives in Glass , Keith’s premiered at NYU’s Provincetown Playhouse in Greenwich Village and has been presented regionally and in concert nationwide. Keith’s original comedy/novelty song revue,  Kooky Tunes , has received international critical and popular praise. This revue completed a successful extended engagement at New York’s Laurie Beechman Theater, followed by an Australian tour, and the release of the cast recording, produced by Jay Records of London, currently available on Amazon.com..

Keith was vocal director and arranger for  RoundHouse , a Television series that aired on the Nickelodeon Network.  Keith was also Adjunct Professor in the Musical Theater program at NYU where he conducted, arranged and supervised music for dozens of shows.

Music Coordinator

JP MEYER  ( Music Coordinator ) is the Music Supervisor and Contractor for APEX Touring ( Summer: The Donna Summer Musical , Pippin, Finding Neverland, Chicago, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz ) and has been the Resident Music Director at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since 2014.   He also serves as the Organist and Music Director at Old Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

LIZZIE WEBB

Music director/conductor, prather productions.

PRATHER PRODUCTIONS  (Casting)   has been casting productions in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years. The casting and artistic producing team of Brian J. Enzman and Lauren L. Sobon recently cast the national tours of  Cabaret ,  Once, The Musical,   Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Finding Neverland, The Wizard of Oz International Tour, Pippin, Million Dollar Quartet  and  Fiddler on the Roof.  

JESS LEVINE

Production stage manager.

JESS LEVINE (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be joining Hairspray ! Originally from Pittsburgh and a proud graduate of Penn State, previous tours include Elf the Musical and regional credits include Plano and The Cherry Orchard (Quantum Theatre) and Shantytown (Pittsburgh Playwrights). Many thanks to all the family and friends that continue to support her!

SAM KRONHAUS

Assistant stage manager.

Sam Kronhaus (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be back with the Hairspray company this season! National Tours: Hairspray and Les Misérables . Regional: Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company) and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Other credits: Miami City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Kravis Center, Pittsburgh Playhouse, and Pittsburgh CLO. Proud graduate of Point Park University. Sam wishes to thank his family for their continued love and support!

MARC CIEMIEWICZ

Resident company manager.

MARC CIEMIEWICZ (Resident Company Manager ) .   For 30 years Marc   has worked as an actor, director, stage manager, company manager, and production manager from coast to coast. Tours: Yeston and Kopit’s Phantom , It’s Swingtime! , Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler), Footloose 10th Anniversary Tour , The Wedding Singer , Finding Neverland , Chicago , and the national and international tours of The Wizard of   Oz . Marc holds a BFA and a MFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory and San Diego State University respectively. Let Art Live!

TIMOTHE BITTLE

Company manager.

TIMOTHE BITTLE (Tour Company Manager) is excited to be a part of Hairspray and was the Company Manager for Chicago, the Musical and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical . National tours include Finding Neverland and The Wedding Singer . He attended Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina and Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. An avid TV and movie watcher, but has also been known to enjoy a football game or two. Go Pack Go!!

KENT McINGVALE & COMPANY

Tour press and marketing.

Kent McIngvale & Company  ( Tour Press & Marketing ) currently leads the marketing and press campaigns for the national tours of  Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird  and  Hairspray , and consults with Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma. Recent projects for Kent McIngvale, Deb Fiscella and N. Meredyth Davis include marketing and press campaigns for the national tours of  Jersey Boys  (14 seasons on tour),  Beautiful – the Carole King Musical  (6 seasons on tour),  Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music , and  Summer: The Donna Summer Musical .

THE BOOKING GROUP

Tour booking.

The Booking Group has represented 27 Tony Award® winning Best Musicals and Plays. Current tours include: Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, The Book of Mormon, 1776, Hadestown, Mean Girls, MJ The Musical, Pretty Woman, Six, Tina, To Kill A Mockingbird, Anastasia, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, My Fair Lady, R.E.S.P.E.C.T ; and Tootsie . Future tours include: Almost Famous, Funny Girl, Mamma Mia!, Mrs. Doubtfire, A Strange Loop, The Devil Wears Prada , and The Wiz.

LAUREN L. SOBON

Associate producer.

LAUREN L. SOBON (Associate Producer) . Recent credits include Director for the 2021 tour of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical , Associate Producer for the 2020 national tour of Chicago , Artistic Producer/Casting Director for the 2020 national tour of Finding Neverland , 2019 international and 2018/2019 national tours of The Wizard of Oz as well as the 2017 national tour of Pippin . She was the Director and Artistic Producer for the 2016 national tour of Million Dollar Quartet . Choreographer and Associate Producer for the 2014 national tour of Fiddler on the Roof .      

BRIAN J. ENZMAN

BRIAN J. ENZMAN (Associate Producer) .   Brian has 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has been involved in over 400 productions from A Chorus Line in 1987 to the recent national tours of Cabaret , Once, The Musical and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical . As resident director, credits include: Evita , Yeston and Kopit’s Phantom , Les Miserables , The Civil War , Jekyll and Hyde , The Drowsy Chaperone , South Pacific , Hello Dolly , Best Little Whorehouse in Texas , Cabaret , Gypsy , Mame , The King and I , Damn Yankees , Music Man and Annie , to name a few. Brian is a graduate of Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

RUSSELL A. THOMPSON

Production manager.

RUSSELL A. THOMPSON  ( Production Manager ) has been the Production Manager for multiple national touring productions and the international tours of Chicago and Cabaret . Mr Thompson was the Lighting Designer & Production Manager for the international and national tour of The Wizard of Oz ,   and national tours of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical , Finding Neverland , Once , Pippin , Million Dollar Quartet , Memphis , Seven Brides for Seven Brothers , Hair , Fiddler on the Roof , All Shook Up , Footloose , The Wedding Singer , and Beehive: The 60’s Musical . Thompson’s other designs include Jesus Christ Superstar , On Your Feet , Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , Mamma Mia! , Jersey Boys , Rock of Ages , A Bronx Tale and CATS . He also designed the world premiere of Around the World in 80 Days and the regional premiere of The Civil War .

RYAN C. PARLIMENT

General manager, william prather, executive producer.

WILLIAM T. PRATHER (Executive Producer) is the Executive Producer and Founder of APEX Touring. He is a second-generation theatre producer following in the footsteps of his parents, Tom and Debbie Prather, who produced live theatre for over 58 years. A graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, he returned to the family business in 1993 after spending a couple of years in the corporate world. As an Executive Producer, Prather has worked on successful tours including Footloose , The Wedding Singer , BLAST , Fiddler on the Roof , Seven Brides for Seven Brothers , Memphis and Million Dollar Quartet . 

APEX TOURING

APEX TOURING, LLC (Producer) . APEX Touring is the producer of the current tours of Hairspray being presented by Hairspray on Tour, LLC and Chicago , being presented by Chicago Razzle Dazzle, LLC. Now in its sixth tour season, APEX has produced recent national tours which include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical , Once and Finding Neverland . APEX was honored to produce the first company to bring a live production to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Middle East with the international tour of The Wizard of Oz , which also performed across China. APEX produced the 2018 tour of Cabaret and 2017 tour of Pippin . APEX has been created to serve the ever-expanding need for high quality, Broadway-caliber touring productions around the world. APEX looks forward to many years of producing Broadway’s brightest new shows.

Tours To You

Your home for information about the touring broadway productions in north america, ‘hairspray’ announces full cast for upcoming national tour.

The producers of Hairspray , Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon, have just announced the full cast for the upcoming new North American tour, helmed by Jack O’Brien and Jerry Mitchell.

Joining the previously announced principal cast of Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as Edna Turnblad, Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad and Toneisha Harris (from NBC’s “The Voice”) as Motormouth Maybelle will be Billy Dawson as Corny Collins, Will Savarese as Link Larkin, Emery Henderson as Penny Pingleton, Brandon G. Stalling as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Kaelee Albritton as Amber Von Tussle and Addison Garner as Velma Von Tussle.

Christopher Swan will play Wilbur Turnblad and Kaléa Leverette will play Little Inez with Caroline Daye Attayek, Kelly Barberito, Helene Britany, Jamonté Bruten, Tanner Callicutt, Ryahn Evers, Michael Corey Hassel, Kaleb Jenkins, Greg Kalafatas, Gabriel Kearns, Caira Asanté Lakota, Stevie LeWarne, Jr., Brendan Morris, Faith Northcutt, Adam Blake Raque, Renée Reid, Sydney Simone, Christopher Swan, Gabriyel Thomas, George Vickers V, Mea Wilkerson and Emanuelle Zeesman as members of the ensemble.

Hairspray will visit more than 60 cities in its first touring season and is expected to play for multiple seasons. Learn more about the new touring production at http://www.hairspraytour.com . Click here for the current tour route.

The tour will be stage managed by Mary Dennis and Sergio Manriquez, and company managed by Ryan Parliment.

“It’s a brand-new world we find ourselves in today, and Hairspray is even more relevant than twenty years ago when it first burst onto the scene. With the renewed, refreshed energy of the unforgettable “Nina West” as Edna and a whole new generation of wildly talented kids across the board, we cannot wait to raise the various roofs once more with dance, joy, music, and that glorious, famous, energy-packed score!” shared Director Jack O’Brien.

Choreographer Jerry Mitchell added, “ Hairspray has always been about all of us dancing together! I am thrilled to welcome this NEW company of amazing #FULLOUT talents to lead the way as we dance across America with a message of inclusion and hope because ‘You really Can’t Stop the Beat!’”

Hairspray is the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).

This new touring production will reunite Broadway’s award-winning creative team, led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell, to bring Hairspray to a new generation of theater audiences. Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Hairspray features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The tour is produced by NETworks Presentations.

Additional creative team for Hairspray includes Tour Director Matt Lenz, Tour Choreographer Michele Lynch, Set Designer David Rockwell, Lighting Designer Kenneth Posner, Tour Lighting Designer Paul Miller, Costume Designer William Ivey Long, Hair and Wig Designer Paul Huntley and Richard Mawbey, Sound Designer Shannon Slaton, Music Supervisor Lon Hoyt and Casting by Stewart/Whitley.

Hairspray premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater in June 2002. The show was a smash hit when it transferred to Broadway, winning eight 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and became the longest-running musical to play the Neil Simon Theater, running 2,642 performances from July 18, 2002, until January 4, 2009. It is the 22nd longest running show in Broadway history.

Principal Cast Bios

ANDREW LEVITT  ( Edna Turnblad )  is thrilled to be part of the cast of  Hairspray . He has performed as drag queen Nina West since 2001 and competed on Season 11 of  RuPaul’s Drag Race , for which he was named Miss Congeniality. On stage, he starred in the regional premieres of  Buyer and Cellar  (Alex More) and  Peter and the Starcatcher  (Betty Bumbrake) with CATCO Theatre Columbus. In 2019, Andrew appeared in  The Little Mermaid  (Ursula) with the Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Other TV credits:  RuPaul’s Celebrity Drag Race, Dragging the Classics:   The Brady Bunch  (Alice, Paramount+),  This Is Me’ Pride Celebration Spectacular  (Disney+), “The Blue’s Clues Pride Parade Singalong” and “The Meaning of Pride” (Nickelodeon). He provided the voice for the animated short  Coaster . Andrew has released music EP’s “Drag Is Magic,” “The West Christmas Ever,” and “John Goodman” as Nina West; all have charted on Billboard’s Top 10 for Children’s Music and Comedy. Throughout his drag career, he has raised over $4 million dollars and started his own foundation, The Nina West Foundation, primarily serving LGBTQIA+ organizations and causes. Thanks to Mom, Dad, PT. Andrew would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of Kathy Ringley. @ninawest  

NIKI METCALF  ( Tracy Turnblad ) is thrilled to be taking on a role she’s dreamed of playing since she first saw the original Broadway production! As a New York based actress from Saugerties, NY, and graduate of Montclair State University with a degree in Musical Theatre, some of her favorite credits include  The Little Engine that Could Earns Her Whistle  (Little Red, ArtsPower National Tour) and  …Spelling Bee  (Olive). Beyond grateful to my friends and family for their constant support, and to the team for this incredible opportunity to “eat some breakfast then change the world!” nikimetcalf.com  

TONEISHA HARRIS  ( Motormouth Maybelle ) grew up in a small town in Maryland, with her start as a performer and vocalist deeply rooted in gospel music. “Call Jesus,” her 2007 duet with Bishop Bruce Parham, reached the Top 3 on the national Billboard Gospel 100; in 2011, she was a Top 20 contestant on BET’s “Sunday Best” gospel singing competition, and she has sung background vocals for gospel artist Maranda Curtis. Toneisha was the Season 18 runner-up on NBC’s  The Voice  (the highest-placing African American woman in the show’s history), and performed an original song, “My Superhero,” written for her youngest son during his battle with leukemia, which reached #8 on iTunes. She then released “Forgive Me” and “Let’s Change the World,” in addition to singing background vocals for Nick Jonas’ 2021 SNL appearance. Her acting credits include  Avenue X  (Julia),  The Gospel at Colonus  (Antigone), and  Little Shop of Horrors  (Audrey II). Toneisha resides in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. As a survivor of abuse, she strives to be a positive role model to other survivors, and she looks forward to using her expanding platform to offer messages of unity and positivity at a time of social turbulence and strife.  

KAELEE ALBRITTON  ( Amber Von Tussle ). National tour debut! Originally from O’Fallon,   IL. BFA Musical Theatre, The University of Mississippi. Select credits: Chicago   (Roxie Hart),  The Wedding Singer  (Linda),  Now Recording (Brandy/Show Captain, Hershey Park). Endless thanks to Stewart/Whitley and the entire Hairspray  team. For Mom, Dad, Mike, Matthew, Brianna, Ian, Crissy, Jason, my NYC family, and my angel, Nana. Love and light to you all. @kaealbrittonnn  

BILLY DAWSON  ( Corny Collins ). National tour debut! International: Universal Studios Japan. Regional:  The Hunchback of Notre Dame  (Quasimodo) , The Last Five Years  (Jamie),  Jekyll & Hyde  (Jekyll/Hyde),  The Light in the Piazza  (Fabrizio), Cabaret  (Emcee),  The Rocky Horror Show  (Dr. Frank-N-Furter). Love and thanks to Mom, CF, Big Mouth Talent, and the  Hairspray  family. @dawsonbilly  

ADDISON GARNER  ( Velma Von Tussle) , a southern gal from Alabama, is ecstatic to be joining the national tour of  Hairspray . A musical theater graduate from the University of Mobile, favorite credits include  Damn Yankees  (Lola),  Crazy for You  (Irene),  Singin’ in the Rain  (Lina) and Velma Von Tussle in RCCL’s  Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle). Forever grateful for her family, friends and ATB Talent for their endless encouragement, support, and love. Philippians 4:13.  

EMERY HENDERSON  ( Penny Pingleton ) waited in line for nine hours to audition for this show. Then, there was a global pandemic. She grew up in Western Massachusetts with her mom Gail, her dad Michael, and her siblings, Elliot and Nina.  

WILL SAVARESE  ( Link Larkin )  is from New Rochelle, NY and so grateful to be making his professional theatre debut in  Hairspray ! Will has spent the past three years as part of the BFA Acting program at Baldwin Wallace University. Before getting this job, he worked as a cook and bartender in Ohio. There are many people whose help he would not be here without, including Mom, Dad, Mara, Jim Keith, the amazing faculty at Baldwin Wallace, and the best friends a guy could ask for.  

BRANDON G. STALLING  ( Seaweed J. Stubbs )  hails from Chicago, IL. A proud alum of Oklahoma City University’s Acting Program, he is stoked to make his national tour debut! Credits: AIDA Cruises (Male Vocalist),  The Little Mermaid   Sebastian, Pollard Theatre Company)  All We Have Is Now  (Danny, Downing/Wittmann Feature Film). Much love to the Spirit Family!  

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Hairspray the Musical full UK and Ireland tour dates announced

The award-winning show will go on a third tour around the country from this summer

Hairspray the Musical has announced its full UK and Ireland tour, which will run from August 2020 to May 2021.

With music and lyrics by the Academy Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, this production will be directed by Paul Kerryson and have choreography by Drew McOnie. The full creative team and cast are still to be announced.

Hairspray the Musical is based on the 1988 film by John Waters and starred Divine and Ricki Lake. It tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore schoolgirl in 1962 who is determined to follow her dreams and perform on national TV.

The musical previously toured in 2015 to 2016 and again in 2017 to 2018. The new tour – which runs separately to the London revival – will open at Leicester Curve on 20 August and will then visit the Manchester Palace, Bradford Alhambra, Blackpool Winter Gardens, Aylesbury Waterside, Birmingham Hippodrome, Glasgow Kings Theatre, Northampton Royal and Derngate, Woking New Victoria, Liverpool Empire, Brighton Theatre Royal, Southampton Mayflower, Bristol Hippodrome, Edinburgh Playhouse, Inverness Eden Court, Ipswich Regent, Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Sunderland Empire, Sheffield Lyceum, Nottingham Theatre Royal, High Wycombe Swan, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Belfast Grand Opera House, Wolverhampton Grand, Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, Norwich Theatre Royal, Leeds Grand and Southend Cliffs Pavilion, before finishing at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham in May 2021.

Hairspray the Musical originally opened on Broadway in 2002 and won eight Tony Awards. The London premiere opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won seven WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best Actor (Michael Ball), Best Actress (Leanne Jones), Best Supporting Actress (Tracie Bennett), Best Supporting Actor (Ben James-Ellis) and Best New Musical.

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