MARISSA PERRY (Tracy Turnblad) Marissa is beside herself to be making her Broadway debut!! Recently, Marissa was seen playing Tracy Turnblad in one of the first regional theatre productions of Hairspray at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont. Other regional credits include Wild Mushrooms (Seven Angels Theatre), Princesses (World Premiere, Goodspeed Musicals). Pre-Broadway/Original Cast: Princesses (5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle). Marissa thanks everyone who has supported her in chasing her dreams. Special thanks to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Craig Burns, Alan Filderman, everyone at WTPC, Judy and Kevin. Mom, Dad, Louie, Nana & Grammy: It’s only the beginning! This One’s For You!
George Wendt (Edna Turnblad) George Wendt is best known to television audiences as Norm Peterson from “Cheers.” The role earned Wendt six Emmy nominations. George began his career with The Second City, Chicago’s famed improvisational company. His feature film credits include Forever Young, Guilty By Suspicion, Fletch, Gung Ho, Rupert’s Land, and Outside Providence. Wendt recently starred in the national tour of 12 Angry Men and starred in London’s West End and on Broadway in the Tony Award winning play Art. He appeared in the critically acclaimed stage production of David Mamet’s Lakeboat, which was directed by Joe Mantegna, and frequently performs onstage in New York, Los Angeles and his native Chicago. In the summer of 1989, Wendt traveled to the USSR to portray the title role of Oblomov in a BBC adaptation of Ivan Goncharov’s novel. Wendt is married to Bernadette Birkett, who co-starred on the comedy series “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” They currently live in Los Angeles with their four sons and one daughter. Back to Top
Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin) Ashley Parker Angel became a breakout star on the ABC series "Making The Band". The show chronicled the formation of his Multi-platinum group O-Town, most widely recognized for the smash hit "All or Nothing". Ashley has toured internationally, recently appeared in his own MTV series "There and Back", and 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. Ashley thanks Tiffany, his family, Craig and everyone at Bernie Telsey Casting for making his Broadway dream come true. Back to Top
Aubrey O'Day (Amber Von Tussle) fell in love with the stage at age 4 performing as Molly in Annie. Numerous musical productions in regional theatre followed, including: Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz; Carmen in Fame; Sandy in Grease; Liesl in The Sound of Music; Val in A Chorus Line; and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. Aubrey traveled the world serving international charities, and recently founded an AIDS educational charity, F.A.N. and a clothing line, heartonmysleeveshop.com. She entered an MTV reality show contest, "Making the Band 3," succeeding in the formation of the platinum selling group, Danity Kane; the first female group in Billboard history to have both their debut and sophomore albums enter the main charts at number-one. Aubrey comes full circle returning to her passion for theatre. Back to Top
Clark Thorell (Corny Collins) Clarke is excited to be back at the Neil Simon to reprise & reinvent the role he created five years ago! Broadway: Hairspray - Original Cast, Corny Collins; Sinatra...His Way - Host (Radio City, Dir. Des McAnuff); Titanic - Original Cast, Farrell, Barrett; The Who's Tommy. Off Broadway: Satellites (Public Thtr); Lone Star Love - Fenton; Sondheim's Saturday Night; Wise Guys, Dir. Sam Mendes. NY Workshops: Rock of Ages; Kristina; Catch Me If You Can, Batboy. Other: Lone Star Love - (5th Ave Thtr. Seattle); Twelfth Night - Orsino (Dir. Jack O'Brien); Floyd Collins - Homer (Dir. Tina Landau); Palm Beach (LaJolla Playhouse); Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas; School for Scandal (McCarter). TV: “Sopranos”; “Rescue Me”; “Law & Order, SVU”; “Strong Medicine”; “Ed”; “Far East”. Playing 'Andy Williams', Clarke recently toured Europe, South America & the U.S. with Liza Minnelli, recreating the nightclub act made famous in 1948 by her Godmother, Kay Thompson, & the Williams Bros. (Increasingly grateful for the blessings of his family, friends & Kelly Sheehan) Back to Top
Karen Mason (Velma Von Tussle) Broadway: Mamma Mia! (Drama Desk Nomination), Sunset Boulevard, And the World Goes Round (Outer Critics Circle Award), Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Play Me a Country Song, Torch Song Trilogy. Off Broadway: Karen Mason Sings Broadway, Beatles, and Brian. Regional: Most recently, Gypsy at the St. Louis Muny, Bucks County Playhouse, Sundance Theatre. Mac Award Recipient Major Female Vocalist of 2004. Multiple Solo albums including her new recording, Right Here/RightNow available on Zevely Records. www.karenmason.comBack to Top
Jenifer Lewis (Motormouth Maybelle) Broadway: Eubie, Comin’ Uptown, “Rock and Roll, 1st 5000 Years” and the original workshop of Dreamgirls with Michael Bennett. Over 60 Films including: The Antwon Fisher Story, Corinna Corinna, Sister Act I & II, Dirty Laundry, Dead Presidents, The Brothers, Poetic Justice, Castaway, Meet The Browns, Shark Tales, and Pixar’s Cars. Two NAACP Image Award nominations for What’s Love Got to Do With It and The Preacher’s Wife. Over 120 Television shows: The Temptations, Friends, The Cosby Show, Murphy Brown, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Jackie’s Back! Shark, Girlfriends, and Boston Legal. Most recently appeared on stage alongside Meryl Streep in Mother Courage and her Children. Lewis resides in Los Angeles with her adopted daughter Charmaine, and is a relentless supporter to find a cure for Breast Cancer and HIV/Aids. Back to Top
Tevin Campbell (Seaweed J. Stubbs) Born in Texas, he started singing in church choir at age four and gained fame as an R&B singer at age 13 with his first album, T.E.V.I.N. Campbell garnered two hit songs and collaborated with Prince, Quincy Jones, James Ingram, Ray Charles and Chaka Khan before recording his three albums. He was featured on Disney’s Fourth of July Celebration in 1991 and toured Africa in 2002. Back to Top
Scott Davidson (u/s Edna Turnblad, Wilbur Turnblad, Harriman F. Spritzer, Principal, Mr. Pinky, Guard) recently performed the roles of Franz Liebkind, Roger Debris, u/s Max Bialystock in the national touring companies of Mel Brooks’ The Producers. Other Tours: Master Class (w/ Faye Dunaway). Joeseph…Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady (Doolittle), Best Little Whorehouse…(Melvin Thorpe). Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre. TV: “The Sopranos”, “Rescue Me”, “Love Monkey”, “Star Trek Voyager”. Film: The Producers, Fangs, and the Oscar nominated documentary “Sound and Fury”. Mr. Davidson lives in West Orange, NJ with his wife, actress Elyse Wolf and son, future Red Sox Hall-of-Famer, Max. Back to Top
Naturi Naughton (Inez) Born and raised in East Orange, NJ, Naturi started singing professionally at age 14. She achieved a platinum selling album with her former group "3LW". As a teen, she toured nationwide with Destiny's Child, NSYNC, and worked with notable producers such as P.Diddy and Full Force. Naturi was an honor student at Seton Hall University for 2 years before she was given the opportunity to join the National Tour of "Hairspray" which led to a Broadway debut in 2006. Recently, Naturi played the role of Lil Kim in the upcoming feature film entitled "Notorious". Naturi is grateful to God for her many blessings. She also thanks her parents and her entire family for believing and encouraging her always! Dreams really do come true! http://www.myspace.com/naturinaughtonBack to Top
Ken Marks (Wilbur Turnblad) Broadway: ROCK ‘N ROLL, SRING AWAKENING, AFTER THE FALL, MAMMA MIA! (Original Broadway Company), PRESENT LAUGHTER, DANCING AT LUGHNASA. Off Broadway: STUFF HAPPENS (NYSF- Drama Desk, Best Ensemble), Sir Larry in ORSON’S SHADOW (Borrow Street), THE INTERNATIONALIST (Vineyard), LITTLE FISHS (Second Stage), WHEN THEY SPEAK OF RITA (Primary Stages), Fluellen in HENRY V (NYSF). Regional: leading roles at the Guthrie Theatre, Yale Rep., Long Wharf, ACT. Mark Taper Forum, and Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. TV: “Law and Order : SVU”, “Third Watch”, “New Amsterdam”. FILM; THE CONFESSION, YEAR OF THE FISH, STATEN ISLAND, THE WACKNESS. For Laura, Eleanor, and the brand new Clarissa. Back to Top
Kevin Meaney (Harriman F. Spritzer, Principal, Mr. Pinky, Guard/ u/s Edna Turnblad, Wilbur Trunblad) is a nationally known standup comedian with two HBO Comedy Specials, Comedy Central Specials, numerous appearances on the Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live. Starred in the CBS Television situation comedy, "Uncle Buck" and made his film debut in Penny Marshall's, Big. Kevin Meaney would like to thank, his daughter and parents, siblings and Tom Ingegno, Tom Goetschius, Kasey, and Aunt Rose. Back to Top
Susan Mosher (Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher, Matron u/s Velma Von Tussle) Last seen in the Vegas production of Hairspray, Susie is beside herself to be making her Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Suds, Back to Bacharach & David. TV: “Without a Trace,” HBO’s “If These Walls Could Talk 2” w/ Vanessa Redgrave, “Veronica’s Closet,” and a recurring role on Showtime’s “The L Word.” Recent Film: “A View from the Top,” “The Wedding Planner.” Los Angeles audiences know Susie as “Pepper Cole” in the long-running cult hit, CA$HINO. Back to Top
Niki Scalera (Penny Pingleton) Broadway: Tarzan (Jane u/s), Neil Simon's Jake's Women. Off Broadway: The American Dream with James Naughton, Our Town with Hal Holbrook, Richard Greenberg's Vanishing Act. Tour: Footloose (Ariel). Vegas: We Will Rock You. Film: Emmy- nominated Don't Touch. TV: "Loving", "All My Children" and "Another World". NYU Tisch graduate. Niki thanks her family, friends (especially EJS & Nickrod) and Fritz! www.nikiscalera.comBack to Top
Kirsten Bracken (Lou Ann u/s Amber Von Tussle) Broadway Debut! Recent NYC: Gemini The Musical (NYMF) Thanks to God, my family, my rocks-Kara & Thea, my CMU family, Craig, & the Hairspray Team for believing in me & waiting! Love to the BRS crew. BFA CMU. For Matt-We did it Baby! Back to Top
Summer Broyhill (Swing/ u/s Velma Von Tussle, Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher, Matron)
Broadway debut!! Atlanta native, FSU grad. Big thanks to Craig B., Telsey, Matt, Lon and Danny Austin. Dedicated to my fabulous family, my Eights, my Al and to God, who found me through Hairspray.Back to Top
Iris Burruss (Dynamite u/s Inez) A native of Virginia, Iris proudly makes her Broadway debut with Hairspray! Recent credits: 1st National Broadway Tour of Little Shop of Horrors and Dreamgirls among others. Thank you God for this opportunity and my amazingly supportive family and friends. Special thanks to Craig Burns and Telsey Casting. Back to Top
Ryan Christopher Chotto (Swing) is THRILLED to be back in Hairspray! National tour: Hairspray (1st national). Off-Broadway: Fame on 42nd Street. Broadway workshop: Beehive on Broadway. TV: NBC’s "Fame." Thanks Mom and family! This is for you, Maw Maw. Back to Top
Dwayne Cooper (Thad) Broadway Debut! Thanks to the following people:God. Mom (Love you!), Candies, Adrienne, David. Matt and the Hairspray Team, Craig at Bernard Telsey Casting, Jason, Hallie, Stanislav, the LIPS/nightlife crew, and ALL of my friends! www.myspace.com/justplaindwayneBack to Top
Steven Cutts (Gilbert/ u/s Seaweed J. Stubbs) Broadway debut! A native of St.Louis, MO., Recent credits include: Hairspray 1st National Tour and “CAMP” the movie (Sean). Having been part of the first Hairspray readings. THIS is his ah moment, “Dreams DO come true!” Thanks to GOD, the creative team, Mom, Dad, family and friends for their support. Back to Top
Brooke Leigh Engen (Tammy / Dance Captain / u/s Amber Von Tussle, Prudy, Gym Teacher, Matron) Joining Hairspray is Brooke’s dream come true! Broadway: Gypsy (starring Bernadette Peters). Off-Broadway: Awesome 80’s Prom (Missy). Film: Hairspray (Doreen with twin sister as Noreen). Hugs to family and friends! Back to Top
Leslie Goddard (Brenda/ u/s Penny Pingleton) B’way Debut! National Tour: Showboat, Sound of Music. Regional: Honky Tonk Angels, Smokey Joe’s Café and Bye, Bye Birdie. Thanks Mom! Back to Top
Curt Hansen (Sketch/ u/s Link Larkin, Corny Collins) Broadway Debut! Curt is a Wisconsin native and attended UW-Stevens Point. Broadway Workshop: Flamingo Kid (Jeffrey). Regional: Rocky Mountain Rep. Thanks to family and friends for supporting me throughout the years. Back to Top
Carla J. Hargrove (Dynamite/ u/s Motormouth Maybelle, Inez) is a graduate of Howard University and Penn State University. She was last seen on Broadway as Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors. Carla is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. Back to Top
Lauren Kling (Swing/ u/s Penny Pingleton)
Broadway: Hairspray (Brenda; u/s Penny Pingleton). National tours: Hairspray (Tammy), My Fair Lady (Eliza). Regional: A Chorus Line (Maggie). Thanks to Mom, Dad and Scott for their love and support. Proud member of Equity.Back to Top
Lori Eve Marinacci (Shelley u/s Tracy Turnblad) is thrilled to make her Broadway debut following the Vegas run of Hairspray! Tours/Regional: Kiss Me Kate (Lois/Bianca), Hair, Taffetas. Thanks to this amazing creative team, Telsey Casting, friends, family and my beautiful mother. www.LoriEve.comBack to Top
Kasey Marino (Brad) Broadway debut! Several regional credits including NSMT, MUNY, Music Circus, NSMT, TUTS, K.C. Starlight and Paper Mill. Much love and thanks to family, friends Tom and Greg. BFA Boston Conservatory. Back to Top
Matthew S. Morgan (Swing u/s Seaweed J. Stubbs) Broadway Debut! Matthew originated the role of Seaweed in Toronto Hairspray. Other favorite roles include Benny (Rent, National Tour); Chad (High School Musical, NSMT) and others. Thanks to all at BT Casting, Shirley, DTB, AG, GM, RK “Let’s DANCE!!!” Back to Top
Nicole Powell (Swing/ u/s Dynamites) National Tour: South Pacific with Robert Goulet. Regional: Sweet Charity (Helene), Hair, Little Shop. Films: Spike Lee's Drop Squad (Lenora). Received BFA from Howard University. Love to Ron, Dan, and Family. www.nicolepowell.comBack to Top
Terita R. Redd (Lorraine/ u/s Dynamites, Motormouth Maybelle) Broadway debut! Off B’way: Caroline, or Change at The Public Theater (u/s The Washing Machine, The Radio). Regional: The Wiz and Ain't Misbehavin' with Nell Carter. First National Tour: Rent (Joanne). Graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Fish Univ. (B.M). This is dedicated to my Grandmother Mary Cephas. Back to Top
Travis Robertson (Duane) Broadway debut! Nat’l Tours: Hairspray Las Vegas (Gilbert u/s Seaweed), Mamma Mia (Eddie u/s Sky), Fame (Europe). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cabrillo Music Theater CA), Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Sweet Charity at Moonlight Stage (San Diego). Much love to Danika, Mom, my family and Stage 9. I’m sooo blessed!! Back to Top
Daniel Robinson (Fender u/s Link Larkin, Corny Collins) B’way debut! National tour: Oklahoma (Will Parker). European tour: Grease. Regional: Rocky Horror Show Live, Cabaret, Pajama Game, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Hardy Boys. Special thanks to Amy C, my big-sis Amanda, Papa Steve and my biggest fan Momma Traci! I did it! Back to Top
Robbie Roby (Dance Captain / Swing / u/s Corny Collins) Broadway Debut! To Mom, Dad, Bernice, Errin, Brad, Aunt Mary, Debbie, TU Dance & Voice Depts., Jared, Louanne and Arlene, Casey and Mike, Craig B. and B.Telsey Cast., Jerry, Jack, and especially Matt and Michele, my eternal gratitude. Baltimore native!
Dare to Dream! Back to Top
Judine Somerville (Dynamite) B’way: The Life, On the Town, Crazy For You. National Tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Copacabana. Former RCMH Rockette. Fitness coach/motivational speaker. Love to Husband Bobby and son little Bobby and the Hawkins family. www.justjudine.comBack to Top
Todd Michel Smith (IQ) Broadway: Debut! Original cast recording: A Wonderful Life (Actors’ Fund). Nat’l tour: She Loves Me (Busboy), West Side Story (Baby John). Reg’l: Roger in Grease (Sacramento Music Circus). Film/TV: “Across the Universe” (upcoming), “Almost There” (pilot). Love to My Baby. Back to Top
Annie Funke (u/s Tracy Turnblad) Broadway debut!! Regional work includes: Hairspray (Tracy), Charlie Brown (Lucy) Grease! (Jan and Cha-Cha!), Godspell (Gilmer), and Once Upon a Mattress (Winnifred). Annie is a recent and very proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Thanks to Lon, Telsey Casting, and all who have believed in me. This is for my family - I love you. Back to Top
