Meet the Cast of Hairspray

Michelle says she had thought about taking some time off, but when she read the script for Hairspray, she felt like she couldn't pass up the role of Velma.

She knew she'd made the right choice very early on…the first time the cast was together! "We had the read-through, and it was one of the most magical working experiences I've ever had," she says.

The choreographed scenes, Michelle says, were exhausting. "It's triple the work—not only the acting but the singing, the dancing," she says. "It's challenging, but it's a lot of fun."

John agrees. "It fills your cup. If you have those abilities—you can act, sing and dance—and you're not used to doing all three at once, it's very satisfying."