hairspray non union tour

The non-Equity tour uses Jack O’Brien’s original direction and Jerry Mitchell’s choreography.

The North American tour of  Hairspray ,  which resumed performances in September 2022, has announced casting and its touring schedule for 2023-2024.

The non-Equity production, which uses Jack O’Brien’s original direction and  Jerry Mitchell ‘s choreography, will visit 45 cities, including premiere engagements in Calgary, Alberta;  Charlotte , North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Edmonton, Alberta; Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Ottawa, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia; as well as return engagements in Boston, Massachusetts; San Antonio, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri.

The cast will be led by Greg Kalafatas as Edna Turnblad, Caroline Eiseman as Tracy Turnblad, and  Deidre Lang  as Motormouth Maybelle.

The three will be joined by Josiah Rogers as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Skyler Shields as Link Larkin, Ralph Prentice Daniel as Wilbur Turnblad, Andrew Scoggin as Corny Collins, Caroline Portner as Amber Von Tussle, Sarah Hayes as Velma Von Tussle, Scarlett Jacques as Penny Pingleton, Kaila Symone Crowder as Little Inez, Micah Sauvageau as the Male Authority Figure, and Emmanuelle Zeesman as the Female Authority Figure.

The ensemble consists of Abigail Bensman, Connor Buonaccorsi, Ashia Collins, Joshua James Crawford, Scoob Decker, Craig First, Audrey Taylor Floyd, Gavin Guthrie, Alyssa Jacqueline, Leiah Lewis, Christy Oberndorf, Kynnedi Moryaé Porter, Caroline Purdy, Kalab Quinn, Josiah Thomas Randolph, Amy Rodriguez, Sage, Scott Silagy, Cara Torchia, Lilliannie Arie Urgent, and James Douglas Vinson.

“It’s a brand-new world we find ourselves in today, and  Hairspray  is even more relevant than 20 years ago when it first burst onto the scene. With 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!” says director O’Brien.

Choreographer Mitchell adds, “ 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!’”

Based on the  New Line Cinema  film written and directed by  John Waters ,  Hairspray  features a book by Mark O’Donnell and  Thomas Meehan  and an original score by  Marc Shaiman  and  Scott Wittman .

This production also has tour direction by  Matt Lenz , tour choreography by Robbie Roby, set design by  David Rockwell , lighting design by  Kenneth Posner , tour lighting design by  Paul Miller , costume design by  William Ivey Long , hair and wig design by  Paul Huntley ,  Richard Mawbey , and Bernie Ardia, sound design by  Shannon Slaton , music supervision by  Keith Thompson , and casting by Prather Productions.

Hairspray  premiered at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater in June 2002. The Broadway production won eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The tour is produced by NETworks Presentations.

Original story: Playbill.com

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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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The Broadway Edit

On Tour: Hairspray

We’re twisting and shouting and going all the way back to the 60s to talk about Hairspray on tour!

If you’re new you’re new to my blog, you might not know that Hairspray was like a gateway to musical theatre for me growing up. When I was young, most of my exposure to musical theatre came through movie musicals, and I was enamored with the 2007 film adaptation of Hairspray like no other.

Hairspray became a pivotal piece in my love for musicals and live theatre, and it has such a special place in my heart. I used to play the CD of the cast album every morning while I got ready for school and every night while I was doing homework. Hairspray was one of the first musicals I knew of that had that big Broadway feel, and I wanted more.

I sadly never had the opportunity to see the stage version either on Broadway or on tour. It was just not feasible at the time. So I’m really glad I was able to catch this new tour because it really felt like a moment that I was seeing it equally as an adult and as the 12-year-old girl who used to dance around her room to “Good Morning Baltimore” and “Mama I’m A Big Girl Now.”

I am very familiar with the movie, so I was a little bit surprised to see what they changed from the stage adaptation for the film. For one thing, I was surprised by how small and minimalistic some of the sets were. Granted, this is a non-union tour, which means they probably travel more cost-effectively with smaller set pieces, but still, it was a point I found interesting. Especially in more recent years, we’ve seen this film vs. stage debate where more minimalistic musicals are getting full set backdrops for film and it’s changing the feeling of the movie musical (a la Dear Evan Hansen or Everybody’s Talking About Jamie ). I was surprised to see fewer scenes in Hairspray taking place at the school and almost entirely taking place at the studio. I always felt like the movie showed them at school as one of the main settings of the story, and it was strange to see the plot revolve around the TV studio.

I am also surprised how much I enjoyed “The Big Dollhouse” and how I had no idea about it because it was cut from the film. When the movie came out, I remember there being grumblings that “The Big Dollhouse” was cut, and I could finally see why, opening the second act on a big, jazzy dance number.

This brings me to talk about how I also really love the camp elements of Hairspray . Now when I say Hairspray left an impression on me growing up, I think it not only was an impression on musical theatre but also an appreciation for campy media. The original Hairspray film—on which the stage musical is based— is a John Waters film, for which Waters has been known to use elements of camp in his work. I feel this is something I have gained an appreciation for and especially in musicals always love to see the over-the-top and outrageous elements used on stage.

It was interesting to watch this show that was very popular in the early 00s after nearly two decades. I feel like when I watch these types of shows that were written in the early 2000s or are based on media from the 80s, there is a level of understanding of the humor that was used in the book and lyrics that is reflective of the period for which it was written. However, I think Hairspray is also a piece that is intentionally uncomfortable because it forces the audience to sit with that discomfort. Of course, it does approach the discomfort with comedy, but I think it uses humor to soften the blow of discomfort.

Is Hairspray perfect? No, of course not. But I think even though it is a comedy, it forces you as an audience member to reckon with the fact that this was a reality in the United States not that long ago. I say that as a 20-something, but I am sure there are audience members for who this is in their living memory.

Now let’s dig into this cast because the cast putting their hearts into these characters is what makes this show a blast.

We can’t talk about Hairspray without our Tracy Turnblad, Niki Metcalf . Metcalf brings Tracy to life with charm and poignant humor. This show lives and breathes on Tracy, and Metcalf carries the story so well. This is now over a year into the tour, and you can tell Metcalf wears this character with ease after nearly 200 performances on tour. I loved her spunky “Good Morning Baltimore,” heartfelt “I Can Hear the Bells,” and crowd favorite “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now.”

Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) gave a standout performance as Edna Turnblad. I thought he did a fantastic job capturing Edna’s worries and her love for Tracy. I felt like the musical version of Edna was much softer and more understanding than the Travolta version of the character from the film, which was surprising to me. I also love how much more supporting Levitt’s Edna was to Tracy. Levitt has great on-stage chemistry with both Metcalf and Ralph Prentice Daniel (Wilbur Turnblad), and “You’re Timeless to Me” was an audience favorite.

Emery Henderson gave a standout performance as Tracy Turnblad’s punchy best friend, Penny Pingleton. Henderson was one of my favorite performers to watch on stage and she had impeccable comedic timing. I loved watching her interactions with Charlie Bryant III , playing Penny’s heartthrob, Seaweed J. Stubbs. Emmanuelle Zeesman , who carries a handful of characters in the show with such ease, also excelled with Handerson as Penny’s overbearing mother, Prudy Pingleton.

I am so happy I was able to see this show! The nostalgia and good laughs it brings were much needed, and it feels like accomplishing a little childhood dream of mine.

You can still catch Hairspray on tour! Check out HairsprayTour.com for more info.

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Hairspray (Non-Equity) National Tour Schedule & Production History

• National Tours
• Hairspray (Non-Equity)

Hairspray (Non-Equity) Show Information

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