Blake Hammond to be Hairspray's Next Turnblad Matriarch

Blake Hammond will be Hairspray's next Edna Turnblad. He is set to begin performances on May 30, two days after the departure of current star John Pinette.

Hammond currently serves as the New York understudy for Edna Turnblad, Wilbur Turnblad, Harriman F. Spritzer, Principal, Mr. Pinky and Guard. He was also featured in the national tour of the tuner. Before Hairspray, Hammond appeared on the Great White Way in On the Town, Kiss Me, Kate and The Music Man. His off-Broadway credits include The Emperor, When Pigs Fly which he also did in Los Angeles, On the Town and Encores! mountings of Carnival and Do Re Me.

In addition to Pinette, Hairspray currently stars Shannon Durig as Tracy Turnblad, Stephen DeRosa as Wilbur Turnblad, Diana DeGarmo as Penny Lou Pingleton, Andrew Rannells as Link Larkin, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Becky Gulsvig as Amber Von Tussle, Darlene Love as Motormouth Maybelle and Leah Hocking as Velma Von Tussle. DeGarmo will appear through May 21 a week longer than previously scheduled. Tour cast member Caissie Levy is scheduled to take over as Penny Lou Pingleton on Broadway on May 23. Hocking, who is bound for Mamma Mia!, must also leave Hairspray shortly, but a replacement for her has not yet been named.