— A Breakout Moment
After working with choreographer Jerry Mitchell on The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway, he asked if I’d join the final reading of a new musical called Hairspray. I walked into that room and heard the score for the first time—it stopped me in my tracks. The music, the message, the energy—it was pure genius. I remember thinking, this is the perfect musical.
I started rehearsals as Fender, one of the ensemble kids, thrilled just to be part of it. Two weeks in, the actor playing Link Larkin landed a movie—and suddenly everyone was looking at me. They said, “You’re up.” But nothing was guaranteed. The show was heading to an out-of-town tryout in Seattle, and that entire run became one long audition to prove I could lead it.
Every night, I sang and danced like my life depended on it. By the time we opened on Broadway, I had earned the role of Link Larkin—and my first chance to be a lead in a broadway show. Hairspray exploded that season, winning 10 Tony Awards and filling the theater with joy every single night. For me, it was the moment I learned what it really means to be a leading man—and to rise when opportunity comes knocking.