Theater News

Newcomer Nikki Blonsky to Play Tracy in Hairspray Film

New York City
Nikki Blonsky, a 17-year-old high school student from Long Island, has been chosen to play Tracy Turnblad in the film version of the Broadway hit Hairspray. She was told that she got the part by the film’s director, Adam Shankman, on the syndicated TV program Entertainment Tonight last night. Blonsky has reportedly performed in several musicals on Long Island.

The film, to be produced by New Line Cinema, will star John Travolta as Trracy’s mom, Edna Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, and Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

The show’s co-author, Marc Shaiman, told TheaterMania that the film’s other teenage roles, including Link Larkin, will be played by “age-appropriate” actors. Shaiman is writing numerous new songs for the film, including a new ballad for Blonsky. Filming is scheduled to begin in September, with a 2007 release planned.