Playbill.com
Crossley, Rousouli, Loprest on Deck for Broadway’s Hairspray
By Kenneth Jones
August 29, 2008
Broadway’s Hairspray will get a spritz of new talent in the month of September. Charlotte Crossley will take over the role of Motormouth Maybelle Sept. 2, Constantine Rousouli will join as Link Larkin Sept. 16, and Kate Loprest will play Amber starting Sept. 19.
The hit musical based on the John Waters film comedy won the Best Musical Tony Award in 2003. It plays the Neil Simon Theatre.
Crossley is a former member of the Harlettes, Bette Midler’s legendary back-up group. Crossley started with Miss M in 1973 after stints in Hair and the original Broadway cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Harlettes (FTH) had their own album on Columbia, now on ebay and in rare record shops. In Hollywood she appeared in the “Sister Act” movies and on the Oscars (helping Robin Williams in “Blame Canada”). Crossley has recorded with Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross and a galaxy of divas. Most recent Broadway credit is The Color Purple (Church Lady/Doris). She won the 2005 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress (Hairspray first national tour).
Rousouli is making his Broadway debut as Link Larkin in Hairspray. He recently played the role for two years in the national tour. Rousouli will succeed Ashley Parker Angel, who plays his final performance Sept. 14.
Loprest has been seen on Broadway in Xanadu and The Drowsy Chaperone. Regional credits include Wicked in Chicago (Ensemble, u/s Glinda, Nessarose) and Happy Days at Paper Mill Playhouse (Joanie).
Hairspray, the Baltimore-set musical about a plus-size girl breaking barriers on local TV, has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, and a score by five-time Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Hairspray is directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell; scenic design is by David Rockwell; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner; and sound design is by Steve C. Kennedy.
Hairspray, which celebrated its sixth anniversary on Broadway in August 2008, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards.
Hairspray currently stars Marissa Perry as Tracy Turnblad, George Wendt as Edna Turnblad, Karen Mason as Velma Von Tussle, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Ken Marks as Wilbur Turnblad, Kevin Meaney as Male Authority Figure, Susan Mosher as Female Authority Figure, Naturi Naughton as Inez, Niki Scalera as Penny Pingleton and Clarke Thorell as Corny Collins.
For ticket information phone Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100 or for group sales, phone (212) 302-7000 or (800) 677-1164.
For more information visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.
