Andrew Rannells to Take Over as Link in Hairspray, Nov. 15

By: Nov. 11, 2005
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Andrew Rannells has been tapped to play heartthrob Link Larkin in Hairspray. Succeeding Richard H. Blake, who leaves the high-spirited show on November 13th, he will take over in the role on November 15th.

Rannells is currently the understudy for Link, who defies stereotypes to fall in love with full-bodied dance show star/activist Tracy Turnblad. He also plays Fender in the show. Hairspray marks Rannells' Broadway debut, though prior theatrical credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch and It's Karate Kid! The Musical. His voice has been heard on animated shows such as "Pokemon," "Sonic X," "Tokyo Mew Mew" "Yu-Gi-Oh!" and "Shaman King."

Hairspray concerns Tracy's ascent into love, happiness and stardom on a 60's dance show, which she helps to racially integrate. The Broadway show was itself based on John Waters' 1988 film. It opened in August of 2002 and garnered 8 Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Best Book of a Musical for Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Best Direction of a Musical for Jack O'Brien, Best Actor in a Musical for Harvey Fierstein and Best Actress in a Musical for Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Hairspray currently stars Shannon Durig as Tracy, John Pinette as Edna Turnblad, Stephen DeRosa as Wilbur Turnblad, Becky Gulsvig as Amber Von Tussle, Tracey Miller as Penny Pingleton, Darlene Love as Motormouth Maybelle and Leah Hocking as Velma Von Tussle (she is the temporary replacement for Barbara Walsh). Walsh will return to the show from November 15th through December 4th, but Hocking will take over indefinitely on December 6th.

For more information, visit www.hairspraythemusical.com.

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