Hairspray: Alexa Vega to make her Broadway debut playing Penny Pingleton

Movie actress Alexa Vega will make her Broadway debut when she takes over the role of Penny Pingleton in the Broadway musical Hairspray on 13 Feb 2007 at the Neil Simon Theatre. She assumes the role from Diana DeGarmo.

Alexa Vega has been working since the age of four when she landed the role of Burt Reynolds�s daughter in the television series, 'Evening Shade.' In addition to starring in the 'Spy Kids' trilogy, Ms. Vega has also appeared in the films 'Twister', as the young Helen Hunt, 'Little Giants', 'Nine Months', 'Ghosts of Mississippi', 'Deep End of the Ocean', 'Sleepover' and 'State�s Evidence'.

Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on the 15 Aug 2002, following previews from the 18 Jul. The show is currently booking to 24 Jun 2007.

In Hairspray 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 programme, 'The Corny Collins Show' and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show?

Hairspray currently features: Paul C. Vogt (Edna Turnblad), Shannon Durig (Tracy Turnblad), Jere Burns (Wilbur Turnblad), Diana DeGarmo (Penny Pingleton, Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin), Darlene Love (Motormouth Maybelle), Jonathan Dokuchitz (Corny Collins), Tevin Campbell (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Haylie Duff (Amber Von Tussle), Brynn O�Malley (Velma Von Tussel), Susan Mosher (Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron), Kevin Meaney (Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, and others) and Naturi Naughton (Inez).

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 is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards. The musical 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.

Hairspray is produced by Margo Lion; Adam Epstein; The Baruch, Viertel, Routh & Frankel Group; James D. Stern/Douglas L. Meyer; Rick Steiner/Frederic H. Mayerson; SEL & GFO; New Line Cinema, in association with Clear Channel Entertainment; A. Gordon/E. McAllister; D. Harris/M. Swinsky; J. & B. Osher.