Blake Hammond is Broadway Hairspray's Next Edna, 5/30

Blake Hammond has been announced as the next performer to sashay into the role of Hairspray's Edna Turnblad.

Hammond will replace John Pinette in the role of the flamboyant hausfrau on May 30th; Pinette leaves on May 28th. Hammond currently serves as the understudy for Edna, as well as for her husband Wilbur Turnblad, and Harriman F. Spritzer, Principal, Mr. Pinky and Guard.

The Broadway production of Hairspray currently features Shannon Durig as Tracy, Stephen DeRosa as Wilbur, Andrew Rannells as Link, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed, Becky Gulsvig as Amber, Diana DeGarmo as Penny, Darlene Love as Motormouth Maybelle and Leah Hocking as Velma. Caissie Levy replaces DeGarmo on May 23rd.

Hairspray tells of overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad'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 at the Neil Simon Theatre and garnered 8 Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Shaiman and Wittman, Best Book of a Musical for O'Donnell and 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.

Hammond was previously seen on Broadway in The Music Man, Kiss Me, Kate, and On the Town. In addition to Encores! productions of Do Re Mi and Carnival, he has appeared Off-Broadway in On the Town, When Pigs Fly and others and in national tours of Joseph... and Jesus Christ Superstar.

A condensed production of Hairspray opened at the Luxor Las Vegas on February 15th. Originally starring Fierstein and Dick Latessa, the show now stars Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka as Edna and Wilbur, respectively. A film version, starring John Travolta and Queen Latifah, is also in the works.

For more information on Hairspray, visit www.hairspraythemusical.com.