Michele Pawk Joins Broadway's 'Hairspray,' Aug. 21

The producers of Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards^, including Best Musical, have announced that Tony Award winner Michele Pawk will join the cast Tuesday, August 21, in the role of Velma Von Tussle, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52 Street.

Michele Pawk received a Tony Award for best featured actress in a play for Hollywood Arms.  Her other Broadway credits include Losing Louie, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Seussical, Cabaret (for which she received Drama Desk, Outer Critics' Circle nominations), Triumph of Love, Crazy For You (for she received a Drama Desk nomination), and Mail.  Off-Broadway she appeared in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, The Paris Letter (Drama Desk nomination), Reefer Madness, After the Fair, Hello Again, Merrily We Roll Along, john & jen, A Little Night Music (NYC & LA Operas).  Ms. Pawk appeared in the regional production of Natural History and her television credits include the three "Law and Order" series.

"In Hairspray it's 1962—the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore 's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion—to dance.  She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.  But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do?  Only in Hairspray!  Welcome to the '60s," state press notes.

Hairspray, which celebrates its fifth anniversary on Broadway this month, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor, best actress, best featured actor, best score, best book, best director, and best costume design.  Hairspray also swept every one of the year's best musical awards, winning, in addition to the Tony, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Drama League Award.

For ticket information, phone Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, or for group sales, phone 212-302-7000 or 800-677-1164.  Hairspray offers the ShowTrans system for foreign-speaking audience members in the following languages: French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.  Same-day, lottery tickets are sold at the box office for seats in the first row of the orchestra.  For more information about Hairspray, please consult the Hairspray website at www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.

Photo by Ben Strothmann