A spokesperson for Hart confirmed that the actress-singer will leave her role as Velma Von Tussle in the hit musical Hairspray July 13. She will vacation in Istanbul, Sardinia and Paris with her husband before she begins her next project. Linda Hart received a Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in Lincoln Center's Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes. Her other theatrical credits include Sid Caesar on Broadway, Surviving Grace, Livin' Dolls, Light Up the Sky and Paper Moon. She appeared with Bette Midler in both Divine Madness and Detour, and her screen credits include "The Insider," "Tin Cup," "A Perfect World," "Beautiful," "Get Shorty," "Stella," Showtime," "The First $20 Million," "Gypsy," "Queen," "Texas Justice" and "Touched By An Angel."

Hart has also recorded 12 gospel albums with her Grammy Award-winning family, The Harts, and can also be heard on the cast recordings of Hairspray, Anything Goes as well as the soundtrack to CBS-TV's "Gypsy."

Starring Tony Award winners Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad and Marissa Jaret Winokur as Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray also features Laura Bell Bundy, Mary Bond Davis, Kerry Butler, Dick Latessa, Matthew Morrison, Corey Reynolds, Clarke Thorell and Danelle Eugenia Wilson. Tony winner Jack O’Brien directed and Jerry Mitchell choreographed the musical now at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). For tickets, call (212) 307-4100.