Final Hairspray Cast Members Announced

The final cast members have been unveiled for the Australian premiere of the original Tony Award winning Broadway production of Hairspray, which is set to open at the Regent Theatre in August.  

The cast will include Javon King (international tour of RENT, Newsies) as  Seaweed J Stubbs, Australian musical theatre veteran Donna Lee and Ayanda Dladla, who made her stage debut as Molly in the 2012 GFO production of Annie and also featured as young Nala in the Australian tour of Disney’s The Lion King, who will perform the role of Little Inez. 

Image: Ayanda Dladla

Australia’s Got Talent grand finalist Brianna Bishop, most recently seen in the Australian tour of CHESS The Musical, plays Amber von Tussle, Mackenzie Dunn (Shrek the Musical, Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie for The Prod Company) is Penny Pingleton, with Sean Johnston (Grease, Jersey Boys) as Link Larkin, plus Todd Goddard.

Image: Mackenzie Dunn

Ensemble members include Jamonte Bruten, Micah Aaron Cook, Eli Cooper, Amahri Edwards-Jones, Sienna Embrey, Andrea Fleming, Lucy Fraser, Joel Granger, Paul Hanlon, Micheal Corey Hassel, Zoe Ioannou, Todd Jacobsson, Savannah Lind, Madeleine Mackenzie, Anna Mallows, Nya,Tony Oxybel, Morgan Palmer, Kristin Paulse, Caitlin Spears, Harry Targett and Gabriyel Thomas.

Image: Brianna Bishop

They are joining Shane Jacobson, who will star as Edna Turnblad, alongside Todd McKenney as Wilbur Turnblad, Rhonda Burchmore as Velma Von Tussle, Rob Mills as Corny Collins, Asabi Goodman as Motormouth Maybelle and iCarmel Rodrigues as Tracy Turnblad. 

Director Jack O’Brien (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), lead the original Broadway creative team to present the big hair and big-hearted musical Hairspray in Australia as originally intended.

Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, it tells the story of dance-loving teenager Tracy Turnblad who has one dream - to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star and she must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!

With a story more relatable and pertinent than ever, the Broadway production of Hairspray also toured nationally across the US, a West End production was nominated for a record-breaking 11 Olivier Awards and it was adapted as a film in 2007 starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Zac Efron.

John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia present

Hairspray

Starring Shane Jacobson, Todd McKenney, Rhonda Burchmore, Rob Mills, Asabi Goodman, Javon King and introducing Carmel Rodrigues with Donna Lee

Regent Theatre, Melbourne

Limited season from August 2022

Tickets on sale now via www.hairspraymusical.com.au

Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters

Book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan

Music by Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by Scott Wittmann & Marc Shaiman

Scenery Design David Rockwell

Costume Design William Ivey Long

Lighting Design Kenneth Posner

Sound Design Steve C. Kennedy

Original Wigs and Hair Paul Huntley