Marissa Perry to Replace Shannon Durig as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray

Broadway's Hairspray is getting a new Tracy Turnblad. Understudy Marissa Perry is replacing current star Shannon Durig in the leading role. Perry will begin performances at the Neil Simon Theatre on April 15.

"It still hasn't really hit me!" Perry told Broadway.com during her first "official shoe fitting" for her role. "It is one of my dream roles, and I absolutely love Tracy Turnblad. She's such a never-say-die, fearless girl who never sees anything wrong with herself—if people had more Tracy in them they'd all be much happier." The new star added that she is thrilled to be working with "the absolute best cast on Broadway."

Perry played Tracy Turnblad at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont, where Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Hairspray's Tony-winning songwriting team, discovered her and encouraged her to audition for the Broadway production. She landed the understudy part shortly thereafter. Perry's other regional credits include the world premiere of Princesses at Goodpeed and at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and Wild Mushrooms at Seven Angels Theatre.

In addition to Durig, Hairspray currently stars George Wendt, Ashley Parker Angel, Tevin Campbell, Darlene Love, Susan Mosher, Tom Rooney, Niki Scalera, Ashley Spencer and Clarke Thorell.