Cast size: Large
Cast Type: Leading Roles, Vocal and Dance Ensemble Roles, Youth Ensemble Roles,
Showcases singers and dancers
Dance requirement: High Energy, 60s Style Choreography

 

Character Breakdown

 

Tracy Turnblad (Female)
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: G3-G5
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.

 

Corny Collins (Male)
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: D3-A4
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.

 

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

 

Penny Pingleton (Female)
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: A3-G5
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.

 

Velma Von Tussle (Female)
Age: 45 to 55
Vocal range: G3-E5
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.

 

Amber Von Tussle (Female)
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: A3-F5
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.

 

Link Larkin (Male)
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: G3-A5
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.

 

Seaweed J. Stubbs (Male)
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: F3-D5
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.

 

Little Inez (Female)
Seaweed's little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress.

 

Motormouth Maybelle (Female)
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range: F3-E5
Seaweed and Little Inez's mother also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collins '
Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful, and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This
role should be played by a Black actress.

 

Wilbur Turnblad (Male)
Age: 55 to 65
Vocal range: A3-A5
Tracy's simple-minded 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.

 

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

 

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

 

Please Note:

• The role of Edna Turnblad is often played by a male in drag.

• The roles of Tracy & Link, Edna & Wilbur, and Penny & Seaweed may include moments where the actors playing these roles are asked to dance closely and share close body contact (hugging, leaning, kissing, touching of face and hands).

• Includes instances of segregation and racial discrimination.

• Includes instances of bullying, negative comments concerning body image, and some harmful language.