Photo Flash: Opening Night of Drury Lane's HAIRSPRAY!

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, is presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, opening April 19 and running through June 17, 2012. HAIRSPRAY is Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader, who served as the Director and Choreographer for Drury Lane Theatre's critically acclaimed Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and the Choreographer of Drury Lane Theatre's Spamalot, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Gypsy. The all-star cast is led by Lillian Castillo as "Tracy Turnblad;" Jeff Award winner Michael Lindner as "Edna Turnblad" (National Tour of Mamma Mia! and Drury Lane Theatre's Ragtime); Felicia Fields as "Motormouth Maybelle" (Tony Award nominee for Best Featured Actress in The Color Purple on Broadway); Tim Kazurinsky as "Wilbur Turnblad" (Saturday Night Live); Erik Altemus as "Link Larkin" (The Fantasticks Off-Broadway); Holly Lyn Laurent as "Amber" (National Tour of Rock of Ages) and Jon Michael Reese as "Seaweed J. Stubbs" (When Last We Flew at New York International Fringe Festival).

Based on the 1988 John Waters cult classic film, HAIRSPRAY ran for 2,500 performances on Broadway and won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2003. The production also won eleven Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, in 2003, as well as the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2007. HAIRSRPAY also inspired the Golden Globe-nominated 2007 blockbuster film starring John Travolta. The New York Times raved that "If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY. It's irresistible!" and the New York Post enthused "A great big fat gorgeous hit!" The production features music by five-time Oscar nominee Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The upbeat score includes rhythm and blues and oldies-inspired songs You Can't Stop the Beat, Welcome to the 60's, and Hairspray.

Set in 1960's Baltimore, HAIRSPRAY is the exuberant story of big-hearted, pleasantly plump teen Tracy Turnblad, who does whatever it takes to fulfill her lifelong dream of appearing on the popular Corny Collins Show. Can this plus-size trendsetter vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of handsome Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her fabulous 'do? This feel-good musical is a glorious celebration of following dreams and standing up for what's right.

HAIRSRAY also stars Joshlyn Lomax as "Little Inez;" Rebecca Pink as "Penny;" Holly Stauder as "Prudy Pingleton" (Gypsy at Drury Lane Theatre); Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Corny Collins" (White Christmas at Marriott Theatre and Sugar at Drury Lane Theatre); Keely Vasquez as "Velma Von Tussle" (Barry Manilow's Music and Passion in Las Vegas); and Jeff Award nominee George Andrew Wolff as "Harriman F. Spitzer" (Sweeney Todd and Ragtime at Drury Lane). The ensemble features Christopher Carter; Andrea Collier (Gypsy at Drury Lane Theatre and the 2010 National Tour of Hairspray); Jeff Award-nominee Dina DiCostanzo (Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place); Jackson Evans (Spamalot at Drury Lane Theatre); Reneisha Jone'ne Jenkins (The Wiz at Theatre at the Center); Tiffany Johnson; Alex McCrary as "Brad;" Amy Orman (Music Theatre Company's Merrily We Roll Along); Nelson Green as "Stooie;" Thomas Ortiz; Travis Porchia (Boho Theatre Company's Pippin); Carly Robinson; Sawyer Smith; Drew Leigh Williams; and Sean Walton (Hot Mikado at Drury Lane Theatre). Alexis J. Rodgers, Lisa Estridge (2012 Kevin Kline Award nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance in Beehive), and Donica Lynn (Aida at Drury Lane Theatre) star as the "Dynamites."

The 1960s are brought to vibrant life with a set by Marcus Stephens (Hot Mikado at Drury Lane Theatre), lighting by Charlie Cooper (Curtains at Drury Lane Theatre) and Costume and Wig Design by Kurt Alger of Maine State Music Theatre. Ariane Dolan serves as Assistant Choreographer, Props Design is by Joel Lambie, Sound Design is by Jeff Award winner Ray Nardelli, and Musical Direction is by Jeff Award winner Malcolm Ruhl.
The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35) and 8 p.m. ($40), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($45), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($45) and 8:30 p.m. ($46) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($45) and 6 p.m. ($40). Lunch and dinner theater packages range from $49.75 to $68 depending on the day of the week. Group rates for Student tickets start as low as $20 and Senior Citizen tickets start as low as $30 for matinees and $44.75 for a matinee luncheon package. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.