Matthew Morrison to Join Hairspray Tour in L.A.

Original Broadway cast member Matthew Morrison will reprise his role as Link Larkin in the Los Angeles engagement of the Hairspray tour opposite former co-star Marissa Jaret Winokur. Austin Miller, who is currently playing the role on the road, will serve as the understudy in Los Angeles tour stop, which is scheduled to run at the Pantages Theatre from July 20 to September 5.

"I miss the show," Morrison told Broadway.com. "I miss the cardio-workout that I got every night. I am most excited about doing it with Marissa; I have such a cohesive bond with her. We talk everyday, and we're really excited about getting back into it."

Morrison was originally hired as the Link Larkin understudy, but he took over the role during rehearsals prior to the show's Seattle tryout. He earned an Outer Critics Award nomination for his performance in Hairspray, which he left on January 11, 2004. Before Hairspray, Morrison he appeared on Broadway in Footloose and The Rocky Horror Show. Morrison is also attached to the upcoming Disney musical Tarzan and will perform at the Bound for Broadway concert on June 7 at Merkin Concert Hall.

The rest of the Los Angeles company will be composed of the touring cast, including Bruce Vilanch as Edna Turnblad, Jordan Ballard as Amber von Tussle, Troy Britton Johnson as Corny Collins, Terron Brooks as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Susan Cella as Velma von Tussle, Charlotte Crossley as Motormouth Maybelle, Sandra DeNise as Penny Pingleton and Todd Susman as Wilbur Turnblad.