Hairspray: Jim J. Bullock to play Wilbur Turnblad musical now booking through to 23 Mar


'Too Close for Comfort' sit-com star Jim J. Bullock (Monroe Ficus) is to play Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy�s dad, in the Broadway musical Hairspray from 18 Sep 2007, he assumes the role from 'Leave it to Beaver' television legend Jerry Mathers, who leaves the show on 16 Sep 2007.

Bullock has appeared in Hairspray before playing the roles of 'Harriman F. Spritzer', 'Principal' and 'Mr. Pinky.'

Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on the 15 Aug 2002, following previews from the 18 Jul. The show is currently booking to 30 Mar 2008.

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), Alexa Vega (Penny Pingleton, Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin), Darlene Love (Motormouth Maybelle), Lance Bass (Corny Collins), Tevin Campbell (Seaweed J. Stubbs), (Amber Von Tussle), Michele Pawk (Velma Von Tussel), Susan Mosher (Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron), Kevin Meaney (Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, and others) and Naturi Naughton (Inez).

The musical comedy 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, which celebrated its fifth anniversary on Broadway in August 2007, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor, best actress, best featured actor, best score, best book, best director, and best costume design. Hairspray 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.

Jim J. Bullock

Originally published on

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