Steve C. Kennedy News

New casting finally confirmed for the Shaftesbury smash

WhatsOnStage.com reports that UK comedy star Brian Conley will make his return to the West End this summer when he takes over from Michael Ball as the 'Mama of all Mamas', Edna Turnblad in the multi award-winning Broadway import Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth joined the cast of Hairspray the musical as Penny Pingleton and Wilbur Turnblad.

The producers of 'HAIRSPRAY' are delighted to announce that Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth are to join the cast of the multi-award winning musical, beginning on Monday 2 February. Nigel takes over the role of 'Wilbur Turnblad', husband of larger than life 'Edna' played by Michael Ball.

Mumsnet.com, the UK's leading family website, is delighted to announce that, from Monday 5 January, kids will go free to the musical 'HAIRSPRAY' at the Shaftesbury Theatre. On Mondays, for every full paying adult buying a ticket, Mumsnet will give a child's ticket completely free. This offer is available at www.mumsnet.com/offer or by visiting www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

Mumsnet.com, the UK's leading family website, is delighted to announce that, from Monday 5 January, kids will go free to the musical 'HAIRSPRAY' at the Shaftesbury Theatre. On Mondays, for every full paying adult buying a ticket, Mumsnet will give a child's ticket completely free. This offer is available at www.mumsnet.com/offer or by visiting www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk.

Constantine Rousouli is the dreamy new Link Larkin in Hairspray. BroadwayWorld gave Constantine a FLIP video camera and set those swinging hands and hips loose backstage before, during and after performances to show you how those 'Nicest Kids in Town' REALLY behave! You saw Part I, and now there is SOOOOO much more Hairspray FLIP fun in Part II!

Constantine Rousouli is the dreamy new Link Larkin in Hairspray. We gave him a FLIP video camera...

All signs indicate that 'Hairspray' will end it's successful run on January 18th, 2009. Official word is expected at any moment, there is also a strong chance that Harvey Fierstein will return to his Tony Winning role of Edna Turnblad to help the show go out in style.

Broadway fans are invited to SIRIUS Live on Broadway with host Seth Rudetsky at the Broadway Concierge & Ticket Center each Wednesday at 12 noon ET to watch interviews and performances with their favorite Broadway stars. Tomorrow, Wednesday October 1st, Seth welcomes Hairspray stars Constantine Rousouli and Marissa Perry live and in person at 12:00PM.

Michael Ball has extended his run playing the role of 'Edna Turnblad' in the smash hit award-winning musical 'HAIRSPRAY' by another six months. He will now be starring in the role until Saturday 25 April 2009, marking the longest continuing contract that Michael, one of the UK's leading stage stars, has ever performed.

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards® including Best Musical, have announced that Charlotte Crossley will take over the role of Motormouth Maybelle beginning Tuesday, September 2 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre.

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards® including Best Musical, have announced that teen idol Ashley Parker Angel will play his final performance as dreamy Link Larkin on Sunday, September 14 at the Neil Simon Theatre after more than a year and half with the musical. Angel played his first performance, and made his Broadway debut, Friday, January 19, 2007.

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, have announced that Aubrey O'Day of Danity Kane will make her Broadway debut as Tracy Turnblad's stuck-up arch-nemesis Amber Von Tussle on Friday, July 18, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street.

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, have announced that Aubrey O'Day of Danity Kane will make her Broadway debut as Tracy Turnblad's stuck-up arch-nemesis Amber Von Tussle on Friday, July 18, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street.

The smash hit award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London has recouped its entire £3.5 million capitalization in a record-breaking 29 weeks.

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, have announced that Marissa Perry will take over the role of Tracy Turnblad on Tuesday, April 15, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street. (Shannon Durig plays Tracy through Sunday, April 13.)

The producers of Hairspray have announced that Karen Mason will join the Broadway company on Tuesday, April 8 in the role of Velma Von Tussle at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street. (Mary Birdsong plays Velma through Sunday, April 6.)

The producers of Hairspray have announced that Jenifer Lewis will join the Broadway company on Tuesday, April 22, in the role of Motormouth Maybelle at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street.

There will be access performances for the smash hit award-winning musical 'HAIRSPRAY' on 3, 10 and 17 April.