Rousouli's Link Leaps to Broadway's Hairspray Sept. 16
By Kenneth Jones
16 Sep 2008
Constantine Rousouli makes his Broadway debut as Link Larkin in Hairspray Sept. 16, succeeding Ashley Parker Angel at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Rousouli recently played the role for two years in the national tour. Angel played his final performance Sept. 14.
In other September Hairspray casting news, Charlotte Crossley took over the role of Motormouth Maybelle Sept. 2, and Kate Loprest will play Amber starting Sept. 19.
A 2007 film version of the musical helped stimulate interest in the live Broadway show (which itself was based on a 2003 non-musical film comedy by director-writer John Waters).
The musical won the Best Musical Tony Award in 2003.
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Hairspray, the Baltimore-set musical about a plus-size girl breaking barriers on local TV, has a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, and a score by five-time Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The show is directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell; scenic design is by David Rockwell; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner; and sound design is by Steve C. Kennedy.
Crossley is a former member of the Harlettes, Bette Midler's legendary back-up group. Crossley started with Miss M in 1973 after stints in Hair and the original Broadway cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Harlettes (FTH) had their own album on Columbia, now on ebay and in rare record shops. In Hollywood she appeared in the "Sister Act" movies and on the Oscars (helping Robin Williams in "Blame Canada"). Crossley has recorded with Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross and a galaxy of divas. Most recent Broadway credit is The Color Purple (Church Lady/Doris). She won the 2005 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress (Hairspray first national tour).
Loprest has been seen on Broadway in Xanadu and The Drowsy Chaperone. Regional credits include Wicked in Chicago (Ensemble, u/s Glinda, Nessarose) and Happy Days at Paper Mill Playhouse (Joanie).
Hairspray, which celebrated its sixth anniversary on Broadway in August 2008, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards. It currently stars Marissa Perry as Tracy Turnblad, George Wendt as Edna Turnblad, Karen Mason as Velma Von Tussle, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Ken Marks as Wilbur Turnblad, Kevin Meaney as Male Authority Figure, Susan Mosher as Female Authority Figure, Naturi Naughton as Inez, Niki Scalera as Penny Pingleton and Clarke Thorell as Corny Collins.
For ticket information phone Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100 or for group sales, phone (212) 302-7000 or (800) 677-1164.
For more information visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.
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