Allison Janney Signs On to Hairspray; Film Released in July

According to Variety, "The West Wing" star Allison Janney has signed on to the upcoming film version of Hairspray.  In addition, a release date has been assigned to the film; Hairspray will open in theaters on July 20th, 2007.

Janney will play Prudy Pingleton, the rather puritanical mother of perky Penny (played by Amanda Bynes).  She will join a cast that also includes John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, Brittany Snow as Amber Von Tussle, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, James Marsden as Corny Collins, and newcomer Nikki Blonksy as Tracy Turnblad, who helps to integrate a Baltimore dance show-and wins the heart of Link in the process.

Janney has won four Emmys for playing C.J. Cregg on "The West Wing."  Film credits include Over the Hedge, Strangers with Candy, How to Deal, Finding Nemo, The Hours, Nurse Betty, American Beauty, Six Days Seven Nights, The Ice Storm, and Big Night.  She will also star in and co-produce a fall 2007 sitcom for CBS, the article reports.

The film version of Hairspray will be directed by Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House) and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for their Zadan/Meron Productions, which previously executive produced the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Best Picture Chicago. 

Hairspray is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy. The new version of the film will be based on New Line's hit Broadway adaptation of the film, which debuted in 2002, and went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Director. 

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will contribute new songs to their existing Tony Award-winning score. Shaiman will also serve as the film's music supervisor and will compose the music score for the film as well as produce its songs. Wittman and Shaiman will also serve as executive producers on the film. The new screenplay for Hairspray will be written by Leslie Dixon (Freaky Friday, Outrageous Fortune).

Toby Emmerich, New Line's president of production, is overseeing the project along with New Line's Executive VP of Production Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executives Michael Disco and Daryl Freimark.

Visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com for more information on Hairspray