Joining Harvey Fierstein in the Vegas production of Hairspray is Dick Latessa who originated the role on Broadway and won a Tony for his portrayal of "Wilbur Turnblad" according to Variety. Like Fierstein, Latessa is also contracted for 12 weeks.
"To get Harvey and Dick together to open 'Hairspray' at the Luxor is great for our production, great for Las Vegas and a rare treat for fans who never got the chance to see them when they performed together in New York," said Michael Gill (to Variety), who producing the show with Myron Martin
Hairspray takes audiences to 1962 Baltimore, where 16-year old Tracy Turnbald, a big girl with a big heart and even bigger hair has only one passion, to dance. After winning a spot on the local TV dance program she becomes an irrepressible teen celebrity, but can a plus-size trendsetter vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of the boy she loves and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray!
Latessa received a 2003 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for this performance in Hairspray. On Broadway, he has been seen in Cabaret (Helen Hayes Award), Proposals, A Funny Thing Happened..., Damn Yankees, Will Rogers Follies, Rumors, Broadway Bound, Rags, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Passione, I Oughta Be in Pictures, Chapter Two, Follies, Awake and Sing. Off-Broadway, Latessa appeared in Over the River and Through the Woods, Philemon (Obie), Juno, Diamonds, Sophistry, Fit to Be Tied, Man in His Underwear. Encores!: Promises, Promises; DuBarry Was a Lady; Li'l Abner. He has also appeared in the films Stigmata and Substance of Fire as well as appearing on several television programs including The Sopranos.
Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, the original two-hour and forty-minute production will be modified to run ninety minutes, without an intermission at Luxor Las Vegas. In addition to its eight Tony Awards, which include Best Book, Best Score and Best Director, among others, the musical won a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album and five Outer Critics Circle Awards.
For more information on Hairspray, visit www.hairspraythemusical.com
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