Paper Mill Unveils 'Hairspray' Casting

The Paper Mill Playhouse released who will be featured in its cast for "Hairspray," which opens the 2010-11 season on Sept. 22.

"Hairspray" will run through Oct. 24, and Family Week is Sept. 22-26. During Family Week children's tickets are half off the regular price with some restrictions. "Hairspray" will play Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 and 7 p.m.

In "Hairspray" Tracy Turnblad and friends triumph over high school bullies, racism and enemies everywhere of big girls with big hair. Viewers young and old can enjoy hit favorites such as "I Can Hear The Bells," and "You Can't Stop The Beat."

Christine Danelson plays Tracy Turnblad in her return to the Paper Mill Playhouse stage, where she first performed as part of its Summer Conservatory in the annual New Voices Concert. She performed in the first national tour of "Hairspray" (Standby Tracy). She also appeared in off-Broadway's "Cloaked" and in "West Side Story" and "South Pacific" at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Lee Roy Reams plays Wilbur Turnblad and has numerous Broadway productions to his credit including: "The Producers," "42nd Street," "Beauty and The Beast," "La Cage Aux Folles," "Hello, Dolly!," "An Evening with Jerry Herman," "Applause," "Lorelei," "Oklahoma!" and "Sweet Charity."

Christopher Sieber plays Edna Turnblad and is a two-time, Tony-nominated actor ("Shrek" and "Spamalot") and made his Broadway debut as Agis in the musical "Triumph of Love."

Arielle Campbell plays Little Inez and played the Romanian and Monaco Princesses in the international tour of Matthew Bourne's "Swan Lake."

Alex Ellis plays Penny and last performed as Penny in "Hairspray" at the Cape Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse and Maine State Music Theater.

Donna English plays Velma Von Tussle and is a Paper Mill Playhouse veteran. She was last seen on the Millburn Stage as Ms. Darbus in "Disney High School Musical." She also performed in Broadway's "Lend Me a Tenor."

Kasey Marino plays Corny Collins and performed on Broadway as Brad in "Hairspray." Kasey was also featured in Paper Mill Playhouse's productions of "Godspell" and "Ragtime."

Kevin Meaney, playing Male Authority Figure, appeared on Broadway in "Hairspray."

Kathleen Monteleone plays Amber and most recently preformed as Elle in the National Tour of "Legally Blonde the Musical."

Susan Mosher plays Female Authority Figure and also played Female Authority Figure in the  Broadway and Vegas runs of "Hairspray."

Constantine Rousouli plays Link and is a Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory Alumnus, returning to Paper Mill Playhouse following his Broadway debut as Link in "Hairspray."

Caliaf St. Aubyn plays Seaweed and played Levee in August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

NaTasha Yvette Williams plays Motormouth Mabel and appeared on Broadway in the role of Sofia in "The Color Purple" and at Paper Mill Playhouse in "Ain't Misbehavin'."

 Rounding out the cast are: Callan Bergmann, Iris Burrus, Brittany Conigatti, Willie Dee, Shelese Franklin, Deidre Haren, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Anthony Johnson, Kyshawn K. Lane, Christopher Messina, Nicole Powell, Alex Rolecek, Rashidra Scott, Dani Spieler, Beth Cheryl Tarnow, Laurie Veldheer and Jake Wilson.

"Hairspray" will be directed by Matt Lenz, who was the associate director for the Broadway, Las Vegas and Toronto production. Michele Lynch joins the production as choreographer and returns to Paper Mill Playhouse where she choreographed "Little House on the Prairie" and "Happy Days: The Musical."

There is a series of free audience enrichment activities including: The Director's Viewpoint on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., Conversation Club on every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. and a Q&A With the Cast on Oct. 16 following the matinee. 

Single tickets range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $25 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office or online at Paper Mill Playhouse's website www.papermill.org.