She takes on the role of Penny Pingleton, Tracy Turnblad's best friend.

The hit production currently stars Shannon Durig as Tracy Turnblad, Paul C. Vogt as Edna Turnblad, Jere Burns as Wilbur Turnblad, Brynn O'Malley as Amber Von Tussle, Darlene Love as Motormouth Maybelle, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Jonathan Dokuchitz as Corny Collins, Isabel Keating as Velma Von Tussle, Susan Mosher as the Female Authority Figure, Kevin Meaney as Male Authority Figure, Naturi Naughton as Inez and Ashley Parker Angel as Link Larkin.

Alexa Vega has been seen on screen in "Evening Shade," "Spy Kids," "Twister," "Little Giants," "Nine Months," "Ghosts of Mississippi," "Deep End of the Ocean," "Sleepover," "State's Evidence," "Ladies Man," "ER," "Chicago Hope" and "Odd Girl Out." She was most recently seen in HBO's "Walkout" and just completed filming "The Beautiful Ordinary."

Hairspray marks the actress' Broadway debut.

* 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?"

Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who serves as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features 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.

Hairspray 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.

Hairspray will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Broadway in August. It's the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

For more information about Hairspray, visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.