AMERICAN IDOL's Anthony Fedorov to Star in HCT's HAIRSPRAY 11/18-27

"American Idol" season four finalist and recording artist Anthony Fedorov will star as "Link Larkin" in the Hartford Children's Theatre production of Hairspray November 18 through 27, 2011 at the Wadsworth Atheneum's Aetna Theatre (600 Main Street) in downtown Hartford.

Anthony Fedorov rose to fame as the fourth place finalist on season four of "American Idol," with over 30 million weekly viewers. Following his run on "Idol," Fedorov performed for over a half million fans in 44 cities as part of the American Idol Summer Tour. In 2007 he made his
theatrical debut Off-Broadway when he joined the cast of The Fantasticks. Since then, he has played the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at several regional theatres across the United States. Fedorov released his debut album "Never Over" this August.

"I am very excited to be playing the role of 'Link' in HCT's production of Hairspray. The show is so much fun - it makes you want to dance! I know it's going to be a great experience and I can't wait until November," said Fedorov on his upcoming appearance.

It's 1962, and Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the
affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do!

Winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, Broadway's smash hit musical Hairspray is based on the 1988 New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters. It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan with an original score by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by the Tony and Grammy
Award-winning team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Directed by HCT Artistic Director, Ryan Ratelle with musical direction by John DeNicola and choreography by Lisa Foss, HCT's Hairspray features Scenic Designs by Magge Gagliardi and Nick D'Angelo, Costume Designs by Alyssa Opishinski, Lighting Design by Robyn Joyce and Hair Design by Linda Stanhope.

The cast of Hairspray features 27 Connecticut area performers including VictoRia Mooney as "Tracy Turnblad," Matt Cornish as "Edna Turnbald," Bethany Fitzgerald as "Amber Von Tussle," Shellie Giroux as "Velma Von Tussle," Courtney Danieluk as "Penny Pingleton," Allison McMeans as
"Motormouth Maybelle," Joshua Alleyne as "Seaweed," Arnie Woelfel as "Wilbur Turnblad," Corrado Alicata as "Corny Collins," Journee Brown as "Little Inez," Josiah Rowe as "Male Authority Figure" and Jill Luberto as "Female Authority Figure."

Hairspray is the first of two 2011-2012 HCT Family Main Stage productions to be held in downtown Hartford at the Wadsworth Atheneum's Aetna Theatre (600 Main Street), easily accessible from I-84 and I-91. The performance schedule for Hairspray is as follows: Friday, November 18 at 7 pm; Saturday, November 19 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, November 20 at 2 pm; Friday, November 25 at 1 pm & 7 pm; Saturday, November 26 at 2 pm & 7 pm and Sunday, November 27 at 2 pm.

Tickets for HCT's Hairspray are $22 for Adults, $17 for Children (13 and under) & Senior Citizens and are available online at www.hartfordchildrenstheatre.org. For more information, please call the HCT Box Office on 860.249.7970.

Anthony Fedorov is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

For over 20 years, Hartford Children's Theatre has made the children of Greater Hartford our greatest priority. HCT is Connecticut's leading provider of theatrical training and quality entertainment for children and families, offering diverse programming for over 7,000 children and families from the Hartford area and beyond. We achieve our educational and artistic goals through a variety of well-established programs for children ages 2 through 18 including: award-winning Family Main Stage productions, year-round drama school programming and a dramatic arts community outreach program.

Hartford Children's Theatre's commitment to excellence has been honored by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education with a prestigious WiniFred Ward Award, the New England Theatre Conference's Moss Hart Award and two 2010-2011 National Youth Theatre Awards and an additional three nominations. Executive Director Michael R. Kintner, Artistic Director Ryan Ratelle and Education Director Lisa Foss helm the organization now entering its 21st year.

Hairspray is sponsored in part by funding received from the Greater Hartford Arts Council, The Hartford, Travelers, Aetna, The Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

For more information, please call 860.249.7970 or visit us online at: www.hartfordchildrenstheatre.org.