Arvada Center Completes Casting for HAIRSPRAY, Opens 6/21

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities has announced Jim J. Bullock will star in the upcoming production of Hairspray. Known for his work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, LA Theater and Television, including the series Too Close for Comfort and The New Hollywood Squares, Jim previously performed the role of Wilbur Turnblad on Broadway. This time Jim takes the Arvada Center stage as the favorite "Mother of the 50's forced into the 60's", Edna Turnblad. This fully staged regional production of Hairspray opens June 21 and runs through July 17, 2011.

Under the artistic direction of Rod A. Lansberry, the production also features Megan Kane as Tracy Turnblad, Travis Nesbitt as Link Larkin, Melvin BranDon Logan as Seaweed, Gabrielle Goyette as Motormouth Maybelle, Kirsti Carnahan as Velma Von Tussle, Nick Henderson as Corny Collins, Heather Doris as Amber Von Tussle, Aisha Jackson as Little Inez, DP Perkins as Wilbur Turnblad, and Julia Perrotta as Penny Pingleton.

Project Runway Season 8 Finalist and Denver native Mondo Guerra will bring a new style to the production as the Costume Designer. Mondo returns to the Arvada Center after starting in the Costume Shop as an assistant in 2005. This will be Mondo's first full theatrical costume design in his expanding career.

The creative team also features musical direction by David Nehls, choreography by Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, scenic design by Brian Mallgrave and wig and hair design by Sarah Opstad. Lighting design will be provided by Gail J. Gober and sound design by Steve Stevens. Production Stage Managers are Lisa Cook and Lisa A. Kurtz.

The ensemble cast is rounded out by Piper Arpan (Gym Teacher), Rob Costigan (Principal), Kevin Curtis (Gilbert), Stephen Day (Mr. Pinky), Matthew Dailey (Fender),
Ben Dicke (Harriman F. Spritzer), Michelle Dorant (Cindy Watkins), Ronald Duncan (Thad), Amanda Earls (Matron), Faith Goins (Lorraine), Danny Harrigan (Brad), Ashlie -Amber Harris (Judine), Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck (Prudy Pingleton), Kelsey Hull (Lou Ann), Noah Lee Jordan (Duane), Emily Luhrs (Tammy), Salli Melfi (Shelley), Cecilia Quintero (Brenda), Tyrell D. Rae (Stooie), Matthew Rodgers (IQ), Daniel Shevlin (Guard), Tetrianna Silas (Kamilah), and Johnny Stewart (Sketch).

The Hairspray score was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with the book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

Hairspary: It was 1962; JFK was in the White House... John Glenn was in orbit... Cadillac's had fins...Beehives were in... And girls really knew how to tease! Broadway's big fat musical comedy is high energy: full of songs that make you rock in your seat and a story that makes you cheer for the underdogs. Hairspray hits the Arvada Center Stage in a big way, to heat up your summer.

Hairspray will run June 21 through July 17, 2011. For more information, visit www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

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