The North American tour of Hairspray, which resumed performances September 1 at The Carson Center in Paducah, Kentucky, is currently playing Reno, Nevada's Pioneer Center through October 2.
The non-Equity production, which uses Jack O'Brien's original direction and Jerry Mitchell's choreography, welcomed several new faces for its re-launch: Charlie Bryant III stepped into the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs, Ralph Prentice Daniel is now Wilbur Turnblad, Nick Cortazzo is Link Larkin, and Joi D. McCoy is Little Inez.
These artists joined returning cast members Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race) as Edna Turnblad, Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad, Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle, Billy Dawson as Corny Collins, Ryahn Evers as Amber Von Tussle, Addison Garner as Velma Von Tussle, and Emery Henderson as Penny Pingleton.
Watch highlights from the touring production in the video above.
The ensemble consists of Sydney Archibald, Kelly Barberito, Tommy Betz, Helene Britany, Caroline Eiseman, Melanie Puente Ervin, Craig First, Alex Fullerton, Annie Gagen, Carly Haig, Lauren Johnson, Sabrina Joseph, Greg Kalafatas, Kyle Kavully, Matthew J. Kelly, McLaine Meachem, Faith Northcutt, Nicholas Dion Reese, Sage, Micah Sauvageau, Clint Maddox Thompson, Jade Turner, Mickey White, and Emmanuelle Zeesman.
During its first touring season—November 12, 2021-July 3, 2022—the production played 210 performances in 61 cities in 30 states. Following Kentucky, the tour will now visit more than 55 cities. For the current itinerary, click here.
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 Stewart/Whitley.
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.
See Photos of The North American Tour Below:
Niki Metcalf in the North American tour of Hairspray
Niki Metcalf in the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) and Niki Metcalf in the North American tour of Hairspray
Sandie Lee in the North American tour of Hairspray
Niki Metcalf (center) and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Niki Metcalf, Nick Cortazzo (center) and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Charlie Bryant III and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Sage, Kyle Kavully, Charlie Bryant III and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Niki Metcalf and Nick Cortazzo in the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) and Ralph Prentice Daniel in the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) and Ralph Prentice Daniel in the North American tour of Hairspray
Jade Turner, Melanie Puente Ervin and Sydney Archibald in the North American tour of Hairspray
Joi D. McCoy, Charlie Bryant III and the Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Billy Dawson in the North American tour of Hairspray
Addison Garner and company members of the North American tour of Hairspray
Niki Metcalf and the Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Nick Cortazzo in the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West), Niki Metcalf and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Ryahn Evers and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West), Niki Metcalf and Company of the North American tour of Hairspray
