After a nationwide search for an actress to take on the role of Tracy Turnblad in New Line’s Hairspray feature the search is over as 4-foot-10 Nicole Blonsky has won the role, a role made popular by Rikki Lake in the 1988 version of the film directed by John Waters.
Blonsky joins the likes of John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Amanda Bynes with Brittany Snow in negotiations for the Amber role.
New Line has tapped Nicole Blonsky, a 17-year-old New Yorker, to star as Tracy Turnblad in its “Hairspray” feature.
The film is currently set for a summer 2007 release, with director Adam Shankman, who is also choreographing, starting rehearsals this summer.
Hairspray is originally based on Waters’ 1988 comedy about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show. The new version of the film will be based on New Line’s hit Broadway adaptation of the film which debuted in 2002, and went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Director.
Many of the key contributors to the Broadway show will also be involved in the feature film adaptation. Marc Shaiman (music and co-lyricist) will serve as the film’s music supervisor who will compose the score for the film as well as produce its songs. Co-lyricist Scott Wittman and Shaiman will also be the film’s executive producers. The play’s book writers, Thomas Meehan & Mark O’Donnell, are set to adapt the screenplay.
