Penny Pingleton is the antsy best friend of barrier-climbing teen Tracy Turnblad (played by Shannon Durig) in the musical comedy at the Neil Simon Theatre.

DeGarmo was 16 when she rose to fame on Fox TV's "Idol," losing to Fantasia Barrino. She'll stick with the Tony Award-winning Hairspray through May 14.

The Hairspray company includes Tevin Campbell as Seaweed (Penny's unexpected love interest), Jonathan Dokuchitz as Corny, Becky Gulsvig as Amber, Michael Cunio as Brad, Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Tammy, Tyler Hanes as Fender, Leslie Goddard as Brenda, Bryan West as Sketch, Donna Vivino as Shelley, Todd Michael Smith as IQ, Anne Warren as Lou Ann, Andrew Rannells as Link Larkin, Julie Halston as Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron, John Pinette as Edna Turnblad, Leah Hocking as Velma Von Tussle, Kevin Meaney as Harriman F. Spritzer/Principal/Mr. Pinky/Guard, Stephen DeRosa as Wilbur Turnblad, Tyrick Wiltez Jones as Duane, Arbender J. Robinson as Gilbert, Terita R. Redd as Lorraine, Rashad Naylor as Thad, Carla J. Hargrove, Judine Somerville, Candice Marie Woods as The Dynamites, Chloe Smith as Little Inez, Darlene Love as Motormouth Mabel.

Hairspray plays Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 2 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM, Sunday at 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street. For ticket information, phone Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100, or for group sales, phone (212) 302-7000 or (800) 677-1164.

For more information about Hairspray, visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.

For more information about Diana DeGarmo, visit www.dianadegarmo.com.