SIMON GALLAHER TO STAR IN HARVEST RAIN’S PRODUCTION OF HAIRSPRAY

Harvest Rain (Brisbane) has announced the cast for their upcoming pro-am production of Hairspray, which will open at the Playhouse, QPAC from June 22 to July 1, 2012.

Simon Gallaher will don a dress to play Edna Turnblad, the part made famous by John Travolta in the 2007 film.

Casey McCollow (pictured) will play Tracy Turnblad, the pleasantly plump teenager who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins show. Casey has previously appeared in Harvest Rain's productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wizard of Oz and Sweet Charity

Fresh from playing Justice Charlier in Rock of Ages, Rachel Dunham will return to her hometown of Brisbane to play the role of big, blonde and beautiful Motormouth Maybelle.

The role of the Corny Collins will be played by former Ten Tenor, Tod Strike, who played Judas in Harvest Rain's 2010 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He has most recently appeared in Love Never Dies in Melbourne & Sydney.

Liz Buchanan will take on the role of villainous Velma Von Tussle.

The role of Link Larkin will be played by Dakota Striplin, while Amber Von Tussle will be played by Astin Blaik. Brisbane musical theatre stalwart Gary Jones will play Wilbur Turnblad.

Tim O’Connor is director, Callum Mansfield is choreographer, Maitlohn Drew is music director, and Josh McIntosh, will design the sets and costumes.

"I am thrilled to announce such an incredible line up of Queensland performers for the first production of Hairspray to ever be staged in Queensland", says Director Tim O'Connor. "To be able to bring Queensland performers like Tod Strike and Rachel Dunham back to Brisbane to work with the best musical theatre talent in town on this show is such a treat. And Simon Gallaher is one of the biggest musical theatre stars to ever come out of Queensland so having him involved is an absolute honour. This show is already a real representation of just how phenomenal the musical theatre talent in this state is. It's a knock-out cast for what I know is going to be a knock-out show!"

Simon Gallaher has had a long and successful career in the Australian entertainment industry, and has been awarded three Mo-Variety Awards, a Logie Award, Queenslander of the Year Commendation, an Advance Australia Award for his contributions to the arts and was twice voted Queensland's Entertainer of the Year. Simon has also had a long association with QPAC, having starred in the first production ever staged at the complex (The Pirates of Penzance) back in 1985, and having produced and starred in a series of incredibly successful Gilbert & Sullivan musicals in the Lyric Theatre throughout the 1990's.

HAIRSPRAY will open at the Playhouse, QPAC on 22nd June for a limited season.

Bookings: 126 246 or visit www.harvestrain.com.au

Link to our review