SWINGS
CONNOR BUONACCORSI, JOSHUA JAMES CRAWFORD,
SCOOB DECKER, AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD, AMY RODRIGUEZ, CARA TORCHIA

UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never substitute for listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.

For Tracy Turnblad— AMY RODRIGUEZ, ABIGAIL BENSMAN;  for Edna Turnblad— MICAH SAUVAGEAU, CONNOR BUONACCORSI;  for Wilbur Turnblad— MICAH SAUVAGEAU, SCOOB DECKER;  for Penny Pingleton— ALYSSA JACQUELINE, CHRISTY OBERNDORF;  for Amber Von Tussle— CAROLINE PURDY, CHRISTY OBERNDORF;  for Link Larkin— SCOTT SILAGY, JAMES DOUGLAS VINSON;  for Corny Collins— SCOTT SILAGY, JAMES DOUGLAS VINSON;  for Velma Von Tussle— EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN, CAROLINE PURDY;  for Motormouth Maybelle— LEIAH LEWIS, LILLIANNIE ARIE URGENT;  for Seaweed J. Stubbs— KALAB QUINN, JOSIAH THOMAS RANDOLPH;  for Little Inez— ASHIA COLLINS, AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD;  for Female Authority Figure— AMY RODRIGUEZ, CARA TORCHIA;  for Male Authority Figure— CONNOR BUONACCORSI, SCOOB DECKER;  for Dynamites— KAILA SYMONE CROWDER, AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD, LILLIANNIE ARIE URGENT

Dance Captains
CONNOR BUONACCORSI
AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.  Please turnoff all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers and watches prior to the beginning of the performance.

GREG KALAFATAS (Edna Turnblad). Greg is beyond excited to be touring the country performing a dream role in this dream of a show! A native of Massachusetts, Greg has had the privilege of traveling around the country, and the world, performing on land and the high seas. Previous national tours include: Something Rotten (Nostradamus), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (The Big Bopper), and The Drowsy Chaperone. Endless thanks to family, friends and the entire Hairspray team for making this dream come true. gregkalafatas.com/@gregkala

CAROLINE EISEMAN (Tracy Turnblad). Caroline is honored to be back on the road with Hairspray and in Tracy’s shoes! Regional: The Muny, Stages St. Louis, Studio Tenn. Proud Belmont University Musical Theatre alum. Love and gratitude to the Hairspray team, Eddie and Take 3 Talent, BUMT, and her incredible family and support system. This dream wouldn’t be possible without them! For Patti and Rick, always. @caroline.eiseman

DEIDRE LANG (Motormouth Maybelle). Originally from New Jersey, but now based in Las Vegas, Deidre has had an extensive career performing on Broadway and TV. She was originally a Dynamite in the first national tour! Her Broadway credits include Ragtime, The Lion King and Tommy. National Tours: Hairspray, The Lion King, Tommy, School of Rock and the Australian tour of Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Regional credits: Aida, Dreamgirls, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and The Lion King and Rock of Ages in Las Vegas. She was also an original FlyGirl on Fox TV’s In Living Color. Deidre dedicates this performance to Tyler, Jordan, Mom and Dad, and MJ and Obi! IG: @LANGELLISTM, @Flygirldee12

JOSIAH ROGERS (Seaweed J. Stubbs) originally from Cleveland, Ohio, found his love for performing at 21 when he was accepted into Up With People, and traveled the world performing. He went on to study music and traveled across the US, Japan and Europe with The Young Americans College. He’s excited to bring his contagious energy everywhere he goes! He thanks everyone who helped him get to where he is now, and is forever grateful for this opportunity. “Performing is what I do! It makes me feel alive!” IG: @therealjosiahrogers/ TikTok @therealjosiahrogers

SKYLER SHIELDS (Link Larkin) is thrilled to be returning to Baltimore as the ever sparklin’ Sir Link Larkin! Selected credits include Riff in West Side Story (Florida Rep), Double J/Tony Cover in Saturday Night Fever (Royal Caribbean) and Conrad Birdie in Bye, Bye, Birdie (The Palace Theater). A huge thank you to Brian K. Herrick and HKA through whom all things are possible and to my friends and family for their love and support! Special thanks EG & KF. @skylercshields

RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL (Wilbur Turnblad) is thrilled to return to the national tour of Hairspray. Prior to Hairspray, Ralph was living in Beijing, China where he was a part of the opening cast of Universal Studios Beijing. Regional credits: Oliver (Fagan), Mary Poppins (George Banks), Footloose (Rev. Shaw) St. Luke’s Theatre; Assassins (Guiteau), It Shoulda’ Been You (Albert) The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol; Tuck Everlasting (Man in Yellow), Elf (Walter Hobbs), Newsies (Pulitzer) Orlando Repertory Theatre. Many thanks to friends, family, and Brian at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency. Follow me on Instagram @rprenticed

ANDREW SCOGGIN (Corny Collins) is thrilled to bring that Baltimore sound to Hairspray! National Tour: Annie (Bert Healy, Rooster understudy). Cruise: Grease (Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel). Regional: Ragtime, Evita, Three Musketeers (PA Shakes), Annie, I Love A Piano (Maples Rep), Rock of Ages (Theater Workshop of Nantucket), A Bronx Tale and Mamma Mia! (Prather Productions). Andrew is from Philadelphia and a graduate of DeSales University. Andrew would like to thank Brian, and the Hell’s Kitchen Agency team for all of their support. MDCBP @scoggsmagoggs

CAROLINE PORTNER (Amber Von Tussle) is so excited to be making her national tour debut with Hairspray! Off Broadway: Friends, The Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theater). Regional: Mamma Mia! (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse), White Christmas (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse), Amadeus (Syracuse Stage), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Syracuse Stage), Echoes in the Garden (Chain Theatre), What a Wonderful World (Timberlake Playhouse). BFA Syracuse University. For Mom, Dad, Chelsea and Olivia. IG: @carolineportner

SARAH HAYES (Velma Von Tussle) is beyond thrilled to be making her national tour debut in Hairspray! Favorite regional credits: Moon Over Buffalo (Charlotte Hay), White Christmas (Martha Watson), We Will Rock You (Killer Queen), Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff), Oliver! (Nancy) and Julius Caesar (Cassius). Many thanks to her incredible family and friends for being a constant source of strength, laughter and dog videos!

SCARLETT JACQUES (Penny Pingleton) is a proud New Zealander, thrilled to be making her US professional debut! Professional theatre (NZ) credits include: Billy Elliot (Margaret Gormley) and Annie (Kate). Other significant credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Frozen JR- NZ premiere (Anna), The Sound of Music (Maria). A huge thank you to Broadway Dreams, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Cherie Moore and everyone who has supported and believed in me. Much love to Mum and Devan. @scarlettjacques

KAILA SYMONE CROWDER (Little Inez/Dynamite Understudy) originates from Monroe, North Carolina. She’s a proud alum of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University; “Aggie Pride”! Performing is my “woosah” moment from life. I strive to be great within each aspect of my craft, but not perfect. I just love sharing the gift that God gave me! Recent credits include: Legoland New York Resort as a dancer/tumbler.

MICAH SAUVAGEAU (Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, Principal, Guard/Edna and Wilbur Understudy). An Alaska native originally from Chugiak. Thrilled to be returning for another season of Hairspray! Credits: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Chairman), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Booby), Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely). Thank you to the cast, crew, creatives, production team, and the audience for bringing joy back to the theater! IG: @taletreading

EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN (Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher, Matron/Velma Von Tussle Understudy) is a proud Canadian and is tickled pink to bring this magical show home! National Tours/Off-Broadway: DuMaurier in Finding Neverland, Aunt Em/Wicked Witch understudy in The Wizard of Oz, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Fosca in Passion, five seasons with Symphony Orchestras across four continents and Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers (CCC Best Actress Award). Thanks to the creative and casting teams! Love to my Canadian, American and Mexican families! @emmanuellezeesman

ABIGAIL BENSMAN (Brenda/Tracy Understudy) (she/her) is elated to be making her national tour debut! Select credits include: Newsies (Katherine Plumber), Bring It On (Eva), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Ride the Cyclone (Ocean), and Grease (Jan). Forever grateful to the entire Hairspray team. So much love to Brian and her family for their endless support - especially her theatre-loving momma! Follow Abigail’s theatre shenanigans on TikTok and IG @abigail_bens

CONNOR BUONACCORSI (Swing/Dance Captain/Edna, Male Authority Figure Understudy) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut in Hairspray. Favorite credits include: A Chorus Line (Mark), Shrek the Musical (Pinocchio), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dan), Kinky Boots (Angel), Speech & Debate (Howie) and Heathers, the Musical (Kurt). Proud recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee! Much love and gratitude to family, friends, mentors, Boco, and Avalon Artists Group! IG: @connorbuonaccorsi

ASHIA COLLINS (Dynamite/Little Inez Understudy) is so grateful to be a part of the cast of Hairspray! Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, Ashia began pursuing her passion at Western Connecticut State University with amazing professors and continued her training with the LINK program. She began her career at the Broadway Palm Theatre and has also worked with RWS and Disney Cruise Line. She would like to thank her family and God for everything. IG: @collinsashia

JOSHUA JAMES CRAWFORD (Swing) holds a degree in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been blessed to work professionally since 2016. Some of his credits include TJ in Sister Act, The Musical, Jamal in Escape to Margaritaville, Schroeder in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and being a swing in Signature Theatre DC’s production of The Scottsboro Boys. He wishes you many blessings and hopes you enjoy the show! @joshuajamescrawford

SCOOB DECKER (Male Authority Figure/Wilbur Understudy/Assistant Company Manager) is thrilled for his eighth tour (The Wizard of Oz- National & International/Anastasia/Moulin Rouge!) and couldn’t be more excited to help bring Hairspray to life. With a master’s degree in Integrated Arts and Education (University of Montana), Scoob hosts Pique My Interest, a podcast about creativity and is currently writing an original musical. Recent credits include Truchbull in Matilda, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Murder on the Orient Express. All the love and thanks to Lizzie, Murph and his folks!

AUDREY TAYLOR FLOYD (Swing/Dance Captain/Little Inez and Dynamite Understudy) (she/her/hers) is a New Jersey/Philly based singer, dancer and actor. She is so excited to make her national tour debut with the cast of Hairspray, which happens to be her very first show when she was 11! Some of her previous credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), Footloose (Prather Productions), Elf The Musical (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre), Spring Awakening (The Grand Theatre). She gives endless love to her loved ones for always supporting her and her dreams! @audrey_floyd

GAVIN GUTHRIE (I.Q.) (he/him). National tour debut! Regional: The Prom, Head Over Heels, Titanic and Newsies (Lyric Theatre of OK); Matilda and Frank-N-Friend (Casa Mañana); La Cage aux Folles, Newsies, and Showboat (Interlakes Summer Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Tulsa Project Theatre). Oklahoma City University Alum. Thanks to Mom and Dad, family, friends, teachers, and the cast/crew of Hairspray for their love and support! All socials: @gav_guthrie

EVAN HUSSEY (Brad) is honored to be joining the Hairspray family! National Tour: Elf. Regional: A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof (City Springs Theatre); Mary Poppins, Scrooge (Fireside Theatre); Elf (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); La Cage Aux Folles, Mamma Mia!, 9 to 5 (Little Theatre on the Square). Proud Marymount Manhattan Musical Theatre Alum. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, Brian at Hell’s Kitchen Agency, Wheeler, and all cast/crew/creatives involved with Hairspray! @evanhussey

ALYSSA JACQUELINE (Shelley/Penny Pingleton Understudy). National tour debut! A New York native, Alyssa attended the University of Arizona, earning her a BFA in Dance and BA in Communications. Some favorite credits include A Chorus Line (Diana), Legally Blonde (Pilar) and Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Special thanks to HR Artists Management and the entire Hairspray team for all their support! Mom, Dad, Richie, Erica, Caitlin, Dan, Isaac, Minnie, Daisy, Jetti and Charlie- I love you endlessly. 1 Corinthians 16:14. IG: @alyssajacqueline__

LEIAH LEWIS (Pearl/Dynamite/Motormouth Maybelle Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut in the hit musical, Hairspray! Some of her favorite theatre credits include Escape to Margaritaville, Dreamgirls, Cabaret, Rock of Ages, Little Shop of Horrors, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Leiah wants to give many thanks to the creative team, cast, and all of her family and friends who are constantly supporting her on this journey. IG:@leiahlewis

CHRISTY OBERNDORF (Tammy/Amber Von Tussle and Penny Pingleton Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! Recent credits include Babette in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Arvada Center), Kate Monster in Avenue Q and Sophie in Mamma Mia! (BDT Stage). She’d like to thank her amazing friends and family for all the love. Incredibly special thanks to her Mom, Dad, Michelle and David for their neverending support. @christy_oberndorf

KYNNEDI MORYAÉ PORTER (Dynamite/Cindy) is a graduate of The University of Alabama and is thrilled to be making her national tour debut with Hairspray! Regional: Once On This Island (Papa Ge Understudy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Babette), and In the Heights (Yolanda). She would like to thank God, her family, and friends for never giving up on her.  ROLL TIDE ROLL! IG: @kynnfolk

CAROLINE PURDY (Lou Ann/Amber & Velma Von Tussle Understudy). National tour debut! Raised in Jersey, Caroline graduated with a BM from Oklahoma City University and is now based in New York. Credits: Beehive (Pattie), Disenchanted! (The Little Mermaid track), Chicago (Roxie), Company (Susan), Ghost (Molly Jensen) and Crazy For You. Endless thanks to her family, friends, and “The Candle Guy” for their support, and the cast, crew, and production team for this wonderful experience! @carolinebpurdy

KALAB QUINN (Duane/Seaweed J. Stubbs Understudy) (he/him) is so excited to be making his national tour debut with a show and role that he can now cross off his bucket list. He is currently a senior at Valdosta State University. Some of his previous credits include TJ in Sister Act and ensemble in Spamalot at Peach State Summer Theatre. He would like to thank the company and crew for making his dreams a reality, as well as his friends and family for their love and support.

JOSIAH THOMAS RANDOLPH (Thad/Seaweed J. Stubbs Understudy) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut. He has played various roles such as Seaweed in Hairspray, Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Richie in A Chorus Line, C. C. in Dreamgirls and Flick in Violet. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Sarah. IG: @josiah_randolph

AMY RODRIGUEZ (Tracy Turnblad Standby/Female Authority Figure Understudy). National tour debut! Recent credits: Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Royal Caribbean), Goldilocks in Goldilocks (Chicago Kids Company), Granddaughter in And Come Apart (The Tank). BA: University of Iowa ‘21 (Go Hawks!). All her love to her family and friends. Thanks Mom and Dad for always believing in me! @amy.rodriguez

SCOTT SILAGY (Sketch/Link Larkin and Corny Collins Understudy) is originally from Ewing, New Jersey but is now based in NYC. Select theatre credits include Rock of Ages (Drew, Mountain Theatre Company), Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale Jr., Kelsey Theatre), Head Over Heels (Dametas, Theresa Lang Theatre), and Musical of Musicals! (Bill/Billy, Theatre at St. Jean). He is thrilled to be a part of this company and is so thankful for this opportunity. Follow along, @scott_silagy on Instagram!

CARA TORCHIA (Swing/Female Authority Figure Understudy) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut in Hairspray! Regional: 42nd Street, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Drowsy Chaperone, Kinky Boots, The Wizard of Oz (Music Theatre Wichita); West Side Story (South Bend Symphony). Chicago College of Performing Arts BFA ’23. LINK Class 5. Big love and gratitude to her ever-supportive Mom + Sis, family, Hudson Artists Agency, and the Hairspray team. @caratorchia

LILLIANNIE ARIE URGENT (Lorraine/Dynamite and Motormouth Maybelle Understudy) (she/her) is overjoyed to be taking on the role of Lorraine in this sensational production of Hairspray. Previous credits include Rusty in The Argyle Theater’s production of Footloose. She extends her deepest gratitude to her unwavering support system: her incredible friends and loving family. Catch a glimpse of her behind-the-scenes adventures, her passion for the performing arts, and her infectious zest for life on her Tik Tok: @lilliurgentsings & IG: @lillianniearie. See you in detention!

JAMES DOUGLAS VINSON (Fender/Link Larkin & Corny Collins Understudy) is a NYC based actor and is thrilled to be making his national tour debut in Hairspray! Recent credits include Gunther in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (NCL inaugural cast); Righteous Brother/Nick in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Doug in Descendants (Casa Mañana); Larry in A Chorus Line (Laguna Playhouse). A huge thank you to his friends and family for their endless love and support! @jaames_vinsonn

GABRIEL YARBOROUGH (Gilbert) is so excited to make his national tour debut with Hairspray! He’s a junior BFA acting major at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Previous credits include TV/Film: Filthy Rich (Young Franklin/FOX and HULU), The 24th (Boy/Amazon Prime). Regional: Cabaret (Victor/GLOW Lyric Theatre). Glory to God! Rep: KUTALENT Agency. IG:@gabriel.yarborough

MARK O’DONNELL (Book). Plays: That’s It, Folks!; Fables for Friends; The Nice and the Nasty (all produced at Playwrights Horizons), and Strangers on Earth and Vertigo Park (both produced by Zena Group Theatre). He wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Tots in Tinseltown. Mr. O’Donnell collaborated with Bill Irwin on an adaptation of Moliere’s Scapin, and he co-authored a translation of Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear, both for the Roundabout. For Manhattan Theatre Club, he translated Jean Claude Carriere’s La Terrasse. He has published two collections of comic stories Elementary Education and Vertigo Park and Other Tall Tales (both Knopf), as well as two recent novels, Getting Over Homer and Let Nothing You Dismay (both now in Vintage paperback). His humor, cartoons, and poetry have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Spy, The New Republic, and Esquire, among many others. He has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Lecomte du Nuoy Prize, and the George S. Kaufman Award.

THOMAS MEEHAN (Book) won the 2003 Tony Award for co-writing the book for Hairspray, after having won the 2001 Tony Award for co-writing the book of The Producers. In 1977, he received his first Tony Award for writing the book of Annie, which was his first Broadway show, and he has since written the books for the musicals I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand, Annie Warbucks, Bombay Dreams, and Cry-Baby. In addition, he is a long-time contributor of humor pieces, including “Yma Dream” to The New Yorker, an Emmy Award-winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on a number of screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, To Be or Not to Be, and the film version of The Producers. He is also the co-author for the libretto of 1984, an opera composed by Lorin Maazel and based on George Orwell’s classic novel of the same name, which had its world premiere in the spring of 2003 at London’s Royal Opera House and was performed at La Scala in Milan. Mr. Meehan is a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

MARC SHAIMAN (Music & Arrangements, Lyrics) is a composer/lyricist/arranger/performer working in films, television, musical theater, and recordings. He has won several honors, including a Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy, plus seven Oscar nominations. Film: Mary Poppins Returns (Two Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Grammy noms.), Sleepless in Seattle, Patch Adams, The First Wives Club, The American President, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (all Oscar noms.), Beaches, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, The Addams Family, Sister Act, A Few Good Men, Hocus Pocus, The Bucket List, Hairspray, and The Star (Golden Globe nom. with Mariah Carey). Broadway (with co-lyricist Scott Wittman): Hairspray (Tony and Grammy), Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Catch Me If You Can (Tony nom.), Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and next year, Smash (based on the TV show). TV: Saturday Night Live (Emmy and Golden Globe noms.), Smash (Emmy and Golden Globe noms.), The Oscars with Billy Crystal (Emmy), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (with final guest Bette Midler), and countless appearances with Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Jack Black, and Will Ferrell, among others. He has produced/arranged recordings and performances for Bette Midler, Harry Connick Jr., Peter Allen, Eric Clapton, Diane Keaton, Patti LuPone, Steve Martin, Barbra Streisand, Robin Williams and many more. Recent projects include Rogers: The Musical for Marvel/Disney+’s Hawkeye, incidental music for Plaza Suite, and the score for Universal’s Billy Eichner romcom Bros. His online opus Prop 8 - The Musical was a Webbie Award winner.

SCOTT WITTMAN (Lyrics). Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winning lyricist, director, writer, and conceiver Scott Wittman co-wrote the lyrics for the hit musical Hairspray (Tony, Grammy, Olivier Award) with creative partner Marc Shaiman. Wittman served as an Executive Producer on the hit film starring John Travolta. Nominated for a Golden Globe, Grammy, and two Emmy Awards for the original songs on NBC’s musical drama Smash. Shaiman and Wittman’s original score for the Marilyn Monroe musical Bombshell was released by Sony Records. Scott and Marc’s Broadway writing credits include Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, which Scott also directed, Catch Me If You Can (Tony nom. for Best Musical), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway and the West End, and the new Broadway musical of Some Like It Hot. Scott has created and directed concerts for Patti LuPone. He has created solo shows for Christine Ebersole and Nathan Lane, as well as writing for Bette Midler’s 2015 Divine Intervention World Tour. Off-Broadway, he conceived and directed Jukebox Jackie starring Justin Vivian Bond at La Mama, and Bridget Everett’s Rockbottom at the Public Theatre. His notorious and legendary Downtown shows are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Marc and Scott also wrote the score to Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Meryl Streep. The song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” was nominated for an Oscar.

JACK O’BRIEN (Original Director), recently Tony nominated for his direction of the new hit musical, Shucked, has also won three Tony Awards for his direction of Hairspray, Henry IV, and The Coast of Utopia. His other recent Broadway credits include Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, Carousel, The Front Page, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, It’s Only a Play, Macbeth, The Nance, Dead Accounts, Catch Me If You Can, Impressionism, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nom.), Imaginary Friends, The Invention of Love (Tony nomination and Drama Desk winner), The Full Monty (Tony nom.), More to Love, Getting Away with Murder, The Little Foxes, Damn Yankees, Two Shakespearean Actors (Tony nom.) and Porgy and Bess (Tony nom.). Off- Broadway credits include Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem, Pride’s Crossing, and Hapgood (Lucille Lortel Award). Other productions include Il Trittico at the Metropolitan Opera, Guys and Dolls at Carnegie Hall, Much Ado About Nothing for The Public’s Shakespeare in the Park, Love Never Dies and Hairspray (Olivier nom.) in London, which also saw another revival at the Coliseum in London. Mr. O’Brien was the Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theatre from 1981 til 2007. He has directed six programs for PBS’s American Playhouse. He is the author of two memoirs, Jack Be Nimble, and Jack in the Box, or How to Goddam Direct, both published by FSG. He lives in Connecticut with an exceptional Norwich terrier named Coda.

MATT LENZ (Director). Broadway: Hairspray, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Catch Me If You Can, The Velocity of Autumn (Associate Director on original productions), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Resident Director). Off-Broadway: Pageant: The Musical (Drama Desk nom.), The Irish Curse, Idaho! The Comedy Musical, The Great Daisy Theory, Fingers and Toes, and Alan Ball’s Tense Guy. National Tours: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story: The Musical, Cheers: Live on Stage, Catch Me If You Can, The Who’s Tommy, and Hairspray. International: Productions of Hairspray in Australia, South Africa, the UK, Toronto, and Germany. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Australian tour. Regional: Numerous plays and musicals at Paper Mill Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, the MUNY, Ogunquit Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Forestburgh Playhouse, Zach Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse and Casa Manana. Matt is the founding Artistic Director of In The Works~In The Woods, a festival of new plays and musicals. Member SDC. www.mattlenzdirector.com

JERRY MITCHELL (Original Choreographer) received the Tony Award for Best Choreography twice—for the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots (also Tony nom. for Best Director) and the revival of La Cage aux Folles. His most recent Broadway production, currently touring, is Pretty Woman (Director/Choreographer). He directed the Gloria Estefan musical On Your Feet! (also the international tour and at London’s Coliseum Theatre) and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his choreography in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which he also directed and co-produced in London. In the 35 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with more than 50 Broadway, West End and touring productions. His Broadway debut as Choreographer, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nom.), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nom., NBC Live), Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance (Tony nom.), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nom.), La Cage aux Folles, Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nom., which he also directed on Broadway and in London), Catch Me If You Can and Kinky Boots. He recently directed and choreographed his next musical entitled Boop. Thirty or so years ago, Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, for which he was recognized in the form of a third Tony Award in 2023.

ROBBIE ROBY (Choreographer) has been part of the Hairspray family for 18 years; originally as the dance captain for the Broadway and Las Vegas productions. Select choreography credits include: Joseph… Dreamcoat (staring David Archuleta), Sister Act (Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Tuacahn, Ordway Theatre, and Pittsburgh CLO), Little Shop of Horrors (Sacramento Music Circus), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Shrek (Walnut Street Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus), and Broadway Backwards (New Amsterdam Theatre; NYC). As a performer, Robbie was the dance captain for Broadway/Touring productions of Billy Elliot, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

DAVID ROCKWELL (Scenic Design). Broadway: A Beautiful Noise, Into the Woods, She Loves Me (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), On the Twentieth Century (Tony nom.), You Can’t Take It with You (Tony nom.), Kinky Boots (Tony nom.), Lucky Guy (Tony nom.), Hairspray (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle noms.). Off-Broadway: The Seven Deadly Sins, Soundtrack of America, and the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. Film/TV: Team America and the 81st, 82nd, and 93rd Oscars (2010 and 2021 Emmy Awards). Founder and President of Rockwell Group, an architecture and design firm based in New York with satellite offices in Los Angeles and Madrid. He is the author of four books on architecture and design, including Drama (Phaidon 2021). Honors: AIANY President’s Award, Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Presidential Design Award.

WILLIAM IVEY LONG (Costume Design). Credits: The Producers, Seussical, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Music Man, Contact, Swing!, Epic Proportions, The Civil War, Annie Get Your Gun, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Cabaret, Chicago (New York, London, Melbourne, Vienna, Stockholm, Amsterdam), Steel Pier, 1776, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (New York, London, Las Vegas, tours), Crazy For You (Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Dora awards), London, Toronto (Dora Award), Tokyo; Guys and Dolls (Drama Desk Award); Madison Square Garden’s annual A Christmas Carol; Six Degrees of Separation; Assassins (1991 Obie Award for outstanding achievement); Lend Me a Tenor (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards); Nine (Tony, Drama Desk, Maharam awards); Robert Wilson’s Hamletmachine; Leonard Bernstein’s A Quiet Place and Trouble in Tahiti (Vienna State Opera, La Scala, Houston Grand Opera, Kennedy Center); The Lost Colony; Mick Jagger for the Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels tour; Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage Hotel; Paul Taylor; Twyla Tharp; Peter Martins; David Parsons; Susan Stroman.

KENNETH POSNER (Lighting Design) designs extensively Off-Broadway, for resident theatres and touring productions throughout the United States, as well as internationally. He began his design career in the early 1990’s as the lighting designer for the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA. Selected Broadway credits include One More Time, Mr. Saturday Night, Beetlejuice, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, War Paint, Tuck Everlasting, Disgraced, On Your Feet, If/Then, Kinky Boots, Pippin, Cinderella, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde, Catch Me If You Can, The Coast of Utopia, Shipwreck, Other Desert Cities, The Merchant Of Venice, The Little Foxes, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, Finding Neverland, and Wicked.

PAUL MILLER (Tour Lighting Design). Broadway: Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show, Amazing Grace, The Illusionists, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only. National Tours: The Illusionists, Elf, the Musical, The Producers, Hairspray, Nunsense. Many commercial Off-Broadway productions and City Center Encores! Regional: The Old Globe, Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Ontario), DC Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Co, Asolo Rep, American Conservatory Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh CLO, and Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theatre, among others. Ballet: The New Jersey Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet. Television: Live from Lincoln Center, Netflix, Showtime, Comedy Central. International: productions in São Paulo, Toronto, London, Vienna, Milan (Teatro alla Scala), Manila, Johannesburg, Beijing, Slovenia, Canada, and Mexico. Paul has been the Lighting Director for the internationally televised New Year’s Eve Celebration from New York’s Times Square for the last 20 years. He is originally from Chicago and trained at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

SHANNON SLATON (Sound Design) has designed many national tours including Shrek, Once on this Island, The Producers, Kiss Me, Kate, Noise/Funk, The Full Monty, Contact, A Chorus Line, Tap Dogs, Sweeney Todd, The Wizard of Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Wedding Singer. He was production sound for The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and national tour, and advance sound for Wicked. Shows he has mixed on Broadway include Springsteen on Broadway, Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Annie, Legally Blonde, and Cabaret.

PATRICK W. LORD (Video Design) is a projection and video designer, whose work has been seen across the country. He has designed the national tours of Hairspray and the new tour of On Your Feet, and was on the video team for the first tour of Mean Girls as the animator. In addition, he has had the privilege to design critically acclaimed world premieres at theaters like Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts with playwrights like Lauren Gunderson, Finegan Kruckemeyer, Robert Schenkkan and others. His career also includes extensive work at regional theaters across the country like Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Flatrock Playhouse, Croswell Opera House, Skylight Music Theatre and many more, especially in the Washington DC area, which he calls home. Outside of his theatre work, Patrick has designed for Grammy award winning musicians and creative directed projects for numerous NBA and NHL teams’ special events. patrickwlord.com

PAUL HUNTLEY (Wigs & Hair Design). London born Paul Huntley is a special Tony Award Winner as well as a Drama Desk recipient. Paul has worked on hundreds of Broadway projects since arriving in this country in 1972. His projects have included Cats, Amadeus, Kiss Me, Kate, The Producers and Hairspray. He has also worked with some of the most talented leading ladies of the American Cinema including Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, Mae West, Glenn Close, Angela Lansbury and Jessica Lange. Movies are Christopher Plummer in “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” and Willem Dafoe in “Cirque Du Freak.”

BERNIE ARDIA (Wigs & Hair Design) is a California native with a 40-year career starting in print and television. He has designed for over 75 productions including: Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables and Oliver, Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (Las Vegas), Cinderella with Eartha Kitt, and Hairspray (recreating Paul Huntley’s designs). He is also the author of Barbra Streisand in New York City, and presenting the upcoming At Sea with Patrick Dennis, My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame (pub. Ratteling Good Yarns).

HAROLD WHEELER (Orchestrations). From the time he conducted the Broadway musical Promises, Promises to the year Dreamgirls won six Tony Awards, Harold Wheeler has been in the front ranks of entertainment as a conductor, composer, arranger and performer. Additional theatre credits as orchestrator and music supervisor include CoCo, Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Wiz, Little Me (Tony nom.), A Chorus Line, The Tap Dance Kid, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, Fame, The Life (Tony nom.), Side Show, Swing! (Tony nom.), The Full Monty. He acted as Musical Director for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and composed the score for the film Love! Valour! Compassion!. He is married to actress/singer Hattie Winston.

KEITH THOMPSON (Music Supervisor) is an award-winning musical director, arranger, and composer. He created, directed and produced The Cocktail Cabaret which enjoyed a successful year-long run at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Keith is the founder and host of The Composers Showcase, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a platform for composers to share their original musical creations at The Smith Center in Las Vegas. Professional credits include musical director for Jersey Boys, The Producers, Hairspray, and We Will Rock You, the QUEEN musical, as well as first national tours of Mamma Mia! and Cabaret.

JP MEYER (Music Coordinator) is the Music Coordinator and Contractor for APEX Touring (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Pippin, Finding Neverland, Chicago, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz) and has been the Resident Music Director at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since 2014. He also serves as the Organist and Music Director at Old Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

LIZZIE WEBB (Music Director/Conductor/Keyboard) is delighted to join her third national tour. Other tours include The Wizard of Oz (USA, Canada, international) and Anastasia (2nd national North American). When not on tour, you can find Lizzie working in regional theatres, most recently Arizona Broadway Theatre and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. She wouldn’t be able to do any of this without her husband, Scoob (Asst. Company Manager) and their adventure pup, Murphy. Thanks to APEX for keeping our family unit together while we bring this story to audiences around North America!

JESS LEVINE (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be joining Hairspray! Originally from Pittsburgh and a proud graduate of Penn State, previous tours include Elf, the Musical and regional credits include Plano and The Cherry Orchard (Quantum Theatre) and Shantytown (Pittsburgh Playwrights). Many thanks to all the family and friends that continue to support her!

SAM KRONHAUS (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be back with the Hairspray company this season! National Tours: Hairspray and Les Misérables. Regional: Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company) and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Other credits: Miami City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Kravis Center, Pittsburgh Playhouse, and Pittsburgh CLO. Proud graduate of Point Park University. Sam wishes to thank his family for their continued love and support!

THE BOOKING GROUP (Tour Booking Agency) has represented 28 Tony Award^® winning Best Musicals and Plays. Current tours include The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Funny Girl, Hadestown, Hairspray, Hamilton, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, MJ The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, Six, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, To Kill A Mockingbird, Waitress and The Wiz. Future tours include: A Wonderful World, How to Dance in Ohio, The Karate Kid, Parade, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Some Like It Hot and Sweeney Todd.

KENT MCINGVALE & COMPANY (Tour Press & Marketing) currently leads the marketing and press campaigns for the national tours of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Hairspray, and consults with Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma. Recent projects for Kent McIngvale, Deb Fiscella and N. Meredyth Davis include marketing and press campaigns for the national tours of Jersey Boys (14 seasons on tour), Beautiful – the Carole King Musical (6 seasons on tour), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

MARC CIEMIEWICZ (Resident Company Manager).  For over 30 years Marc has worked as an actor, director, stage manager, company manager, and production manager from coast to coast. Tours: Yeston and Kopit’s Phantom, It’s Swingtime!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler), Footloose 10th Anniversary Tour, The Wedding Singer, Finding Neverland, Chicago, and the national and international tours of The Wizard of Oz. Marc holds a BFA and a MFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory and San Diego State University respectively. Let Art Live!

TIMOTHE BITTLE (Tour Company Manager) is honored to help bring the amazing story of Hairspray to audiences across the world. Previously Company Manager for the 25th Anniversary National/International tour of Chicago and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. National tours include Finding Neverland and The Wedding Singer. He attended Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina and Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. An avid TV and movie watcher, but has also been known to enjoy a football game or two. Go Pack Go!!

BRIAN J. ENZMAN (Associate Producer/Casting).  Brian has 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has been involved in over 400 productions from A Chorus Line in 1987 to the recent national tours of Cabaret, Once, The Musical and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. As resident director, credits include: Evita, Yeston and Kopit’s Phantom, Les Miserables, The Civil War, Jekyll and Hyde, The Drowsy Chaperone, South Pacific, Hello Dolly, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Cabaret, Gypsy, Mame, The King and I, Damn Yankees, Music Man and Annie, to name a few. Brian is a graduate of Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

LAUREN L. SOBON (Associate Producer/Casting). Recent credits include Director for the 2021 tour of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Associate Producer for the 2020, 2022 and 2023 national tour of Chicago, Artistic Producer/Casting Director for the 2020 national tour of Finding Neverland, 2019 international and 2018/2019 national tours of The Wizard of Oz as well as the 2017 national tour of Pippin. She was the Director and Artistic Producer for the 2016 national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Choreographer and Associate Producer for the 2014 national tour of Fiddler on the Roof.

RUSSELL A. THOMPSON (Production Manager) has been the Production Manager for multiple national touring productions and the international tours of Chicago and Cabaret. Mr. Thompson was the Lighting Designer & Production Manager for the international and national tour of The Wizard of Oz, and national tours of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Finding Neverland, Once, Pippin, Million Dollar Quartet, Memphis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hair, Fiddler on the Roof, All Shook Up, Footloose, The Wedding Singer, and Beehive: The 60’s Musical. Thompson’s other designs include Jesus Christ Superstar, On Your Feet, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, A Bronx Tale and Cats. He also designed the world premiere of Around the World in 80 Days and the regional premiere of The Civil War.

APEX TOURING, LLC (General Management) is the producer of the show Chicago, being presented by Chicago Razzle Dazzle, LLC and Hairspray, being presented by Hairspray On Tour, LLC. Now in its seventh tour season, APEX has produced recent national tours which include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Once and Finding Neverland. APEX was honored to be the first company to bring a live production to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Middle East with the international tour of The Wizard of Oz, which also performed across China. APEX produced the 2018 tour of Cabaret and 2017 tour of Pippin. APEX has been created to serve the ever-expanding need for high quality, Broadway-caliber touring productions around the world. APEX looks forward to many years of producing Broadway’s brightest new shows.

WILLIAM T. PRATHER (Executive Producer) is the Executive Producer and Founder of APEX Touring. He is a second-generation theatre producer following in the footsteps of his parents, Tom and Debbie Prather, who produced live theatre for over 58 years. A graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, he returned to the family business in 1993 after spending a couple of years in the corporate world. As an Executive Producer, Prather has worked on successful tours including Chicago, Footloose, The Wedding Singer, BLAST, Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Memphis and Million Dollar Quartet.