LOS ANGELES (Jan. 25, 2006) – New Line Cinema has launched a nationwide casting search to fill three roles, including the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, in its upcoming feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Hairspray, it was announced today by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, producers of Hairspray and the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Best Picture Chicago.

The casting search will begin on Feb. 4 with an open call audition in Atlanta on the campus of Georgia State University. On Feb. 11, casting agents will hold an open call in New York at the Hilton Theatre Rehearsal Studios and the search will come to Chicago on Feb. 18th at the Chicago Academy of Arts. Complete details of the auditions are available at www.hairspraymovie

In addition to the open calls, interested actors can fill out an audition application by mail or email through www.hairspraymovie as well.

“One of the most exciting things to do as producers is be able to offer life-changing roles to new actors and Hairspray has presented us with an amazing opportunity to create new stars,” said Zadan and Meron.

The roles that are currently being cast include:

- TRACY TURNBLAD: (Starring Role) Female, Caucasian, age 16-21 to play age 16. Overweight girl with a pretty face, infectious grin and indomitable spirit. Must be a “triple threat” talent -- singer/dancer/actress with a powerful Broadway-caliber singing voice.

- SEAWEED: African American male, age 16-21 to play 18. Charming, handsome, excellent singer and dancer. Dynamic.

- LI’L INEZ: African American female, age 10-13. Seaweed’s younger sister. Smart, strong, and the kind of girl who stands up for herself. She is one of the best dancers and singers around and she knows it.

Hairspray, which is being directed by Adam Shankman and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Best Picture Chicago, 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.

New Line Production President Toby Emmerich is overseeing the project along with New Line’s Senior VP Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executive Michael Disco.