Jennifer Gambatese Returns to Hairspray

Broadway.com has learned that former Hairspray star Jennifer Gambatese will return to the role of Penny Pingleton this week. She takes over for Brooke Tansley, who has been playing the part since April 13.

"We let Jenn out three months early with the understanding that she would hopefully come back," Hairspray producer Margo Lion told Broadway.com. "Brooke is a lovely person and she did a great job for us. We love her. But Jenn has been with the show since the very first reading at NYTW, so when she got free, we really wanted her back."

Gambatese left Hairspray on April 11 to begin rehearsals for the pre-Broadway tryout of All Shook Up, which recently ended its engagement at Goodspeed Musicals' developmental space, the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester. She has also been seen on Broadway in A Year With Frog and Toad and Footloose. Her other theatrical credits include the off-Broadway production of Reefer Madness and the national tour of Fame.

Hairspray stars Michael McKean, Carly Jibson, Dick Latessa, Richard H. Blake, Chester Gregory II, Tracy Jai Edwards, Mary Bond Davis and Barbara Walsh. Tansley may return to serving as a swing and understudy for the production positions she held before taking on the role of Penny, but that has not been determined yet.