Hairspray: Jerry Mathers to make his Broadway debut playing Wilbur Turnblad

Television legend Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver Cleaver on the classic sitcom 'Leave it to Beaver,' will make his Broadway debut as Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy�s dad, in the Broadway musical Hairspray on 5 Jun 2007 at the Neil Simon Theatre. He assumes the role from Jere Burns.

Jerry Mathers shot to fame as a child actor when he starred as Theodore 'Beaver' Cleaver in the sitcom 'Leave It to Beaver' which first aired in 1957 and ran for seven years. He played the same character in the 1983 TV movie 'Still the Beaver', which led to the TV series 'The New Leave It to Beaver' which ran from 1985�89.

Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on the 15 Aug 2002, following previews from the 18 Jul. The show is currently booking to 16 Dec 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), Alexa Vega (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.