Hairspray: Lance Bass joins cast

Lance Bass, former member of the now disbanded boy band 'N Sync , will makes his Broadway debut, as television show host Corny Collins, in the Broadway musical Hairspray on 14 Aug 2007, a role he will play through to 6 Jan 2008. He assumes the role from Jonathan Dokuchitz.

'N'Sync' was formed in 1995 and were a successful boy band, with four of their six albums reaching multi-plantinum status. The group members were Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake. The group discribes itself as technically in 'hiatus', but many consider it to have disbanded, having not produced a record since 2001.

Bass is the second member of the 'ex' boy band to appear on Broadway. Former band-member Joey Fatone has made two Broadway appearances, first as Mark in Rent, and then as Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors.

Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on the 15 Aug 2002, following previews from the 18 Jul. The show is currently booking to 16 Dec 2007.

In Hairspray Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion -- to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, 'The Corny Collins Show' and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show?

Hairspray also features: Paul C. Vogt (Edna Turnblad), Shannon Durig (Tracy Turnblad), Jerry Mathers (Wilbur Turnblad), Alexa Vega (Penny Pingleton), Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin), Darlene Love (Motormouth Maybelle), Tevin Campbell (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Haylie Duff (Amber Von Tussle), Brynn O'Malley (Velma Von Tussel), Susan Mosher (Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron), Kevin Meaney (Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, and others) and Naturi Naughton (Inez).

The musical comedy is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who serves as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O�Donnell and Thomas Meehan, and a score by five-time Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Hairspray is directed by Jack O�Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell; scenic design is by David Rockwell; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner; and sound design is by Steve C. Kennedy.

Hairspray, which celebrates its fifth anniversary on Broadway on 15 Aug 2007, is the winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor, best actress, best featured actor, best score, best book, best director, and best costume design. Hairspray also swept every one of the year�s best musical awards, winning, in addition to the Tony, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Drama League Award.

Hairspray is produced by Margo Lion; Adam Epstein; The Baruch, Viertel, Routh & Frankel Group; James D. Stern/Douglas L. Meyer; Rick Steiner/Frederic H. Mayerson; SEL & GFO; New Line Cinema, in association with Clear Channel Entertainment; A. Gordon/E. McAllister; D. Harris/M. Swinsky; J. & B. Osher.