CASTING BREAKDOWN:

IMPORTANT CASTING INFORMATION FROM MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
Please note that the cast members in your production of Hairspray must accurately reflect the character descriptions contained in the script. The use of make-up to portray Black characters in your production is not permitted under this Production Contract.

Tracy Turnblad
Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Corny Collins
The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Corny should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3

Edna Turnblad
Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. This role should be played by a white performer.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3

Penny Pingleton
Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Velma Von Tussle
Amber's mother and the director of Corny Collin's show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 55
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Amber Von Tussle
Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Link Larkin
The star heartthrob on Corny Collins' show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Seaweed J. Stubbs
Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed should be played by a Black actor.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3

Little Inez
Seaweed's little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25

Motormouth Maybelle
Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin's Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: female
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3

Wilbur Turnblad
Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 55 to 65
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Prudy Pingleton
Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D4

Ensemble
Corny Collins' Kids (Tammy, Brad, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, Etc.); Students; Hookers; Protestors

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