Bruce Vilanch to Star in Broadway's Hairspray
Vilanch is a writer, actor and comedian. He has been starring as Edna Turnblad in the Hairspray tour since it kicked-off in Baltimore in September 2003. In a review of the show's current stop at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco Chronicle scribe Robert Hurwitt wrote: "[Vilanch] fills the part as amply as he fills Edna's barn- sized housedresses and flamboyant finery, assuming maternity without overstating it, hitting his punch lines with deadly accuracy and executing a slow-burn double-take with excruciating timing."
Vilanch recently co-wrote the Tony Awards. He has been on the writing team of the Academy Awards for over a decade, winning two consecutive Emmys for his work. He has also served a full-time head writer and semi-regular celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares. Pre-Hairspray, Vilanch did have some theatrical experience. His stage credits included providing material for Andrea Martin's one-woman show Nude Nude Totally Nude and writing and starring in his own off-Broadway show, Almost Famous.
Hairspray currently stars Michael McKean as Edna Turnblad, Carly Jibson as Tracy Turnblad, Dick Latessa as Wilbur Turnblad, Richard H. Blake as Link Larkin, Chester Gregory II as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Tracy Jai Edwards as Amber Von Tussle, Jennifer Gambatese as Penny Pingleton, Mary Bond Davis as Motormouth Maybelle and Barbara Walsh as Velma. The cast will be reviewed by critics this week.
A production spokesperson could not confirm Vilanch's Broadway plans.