Hairspray's Vega & Angel Set for Toys 'R' Us Charity Event

On Saturday May 5, Hairspray stars Alexa Vega (Penny Pingleton) and Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin) will be at Toys "R" Us in Times Square, New York City (1514 Broadway at 44th Street).  They will be part of an all day charity event called, "R" Cause for Celebration Charity Day.  From 11:30am-12:30pm, fans will have the opportunity to meet the stars, as well as participate in other events such as candy sampling and toy demonstrations. 

Vega has been working since the age of four when she landed the role of Burt Reynolds's daughter in the acclaimed television series, "Evening Shade."  In addition to starring in the Spy Kids trilogy, Vega has also appeared in the films Twister, as the young Helen Hunt, Little Giants, Nine Months, Ghosts of Mississippi, Deep End of the Ocean, Sleepover, and State's Evidence.  Her television credits include "Ladies Man," opposite Alfred Molina, "ER," "Chicago Hope," and the lead in the Lifetime feature, "Odd Girl Out."  She was most recently seen starring in the HBO film, "Walkout," and just completed the independent film, The Beautiful Ordinary.

Angel became a breakout star on the ABC series "Making the Band."  The show chronicled the formation of his multi-platinum recording group O-Town, most widely recognized for the hit song "All or Nothing."  Ashley has toured internationally, recently appeared in his own MTV series "There and Back," and last year released his solo album "Soundtrack to Your Life."  His single "Let You Go" achieved the highest debut on Billboard's hot singles chart of any artist in 2006 and spent weeks at number one on MTV's "TRL."

"In Hairspray it's 1962-the '50s are out and change is in the air.  Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion-to dance.  She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, 'The Corny Collins Show' and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.  But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do?  Only in Hairspray!  Welcome to the '60s!," state production notes.

Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who serves as a creative consultant on the musical comedy.  It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, and a score by five-time Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.  Hairspray is directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell; scenic design is by David Rockwell; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner; and sound design is by Steve C. Kennedy.

For more information about Hairspray, please consult the Hairspray website at www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.  For more information on the Toys "R" Us event, please visit the Toys "R" Us website at  www.toysrustimessquare.com or call the Special Events hotline at 646-366-8855.

Photo - Alexa Vega