Aaron Zebede "La Cage aux Folles" and did a one-week run as 'Shrek' in "Shrek the Musical". In 2017 he played the role of 'Edna Turnblad' in the Panamanian revival of "Hairspray (musical)". As director, Zebede directed Elton John & Tim Rice's "Aida" at the National Theatre of Panama as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In The Heights" at the Teatro El Círculo (both in 2013), Schönberg & Boublil’s "Les Misérables" in 2014, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 2015, Larry Kramer's AIDS drama "The Normal Heart", the ABBA inspired hit "Mamma Mia!" at the Teatro Anayansi, the rock musical "Rock of
Hairspray (musical) The West End production opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre on October 11, 2007 for previews before its official opening on October 30. Michael Ball played Edna, with Mel Smith as Wilbur Turnblad, newcomer Leanne Jones as Tracy, Tracie Bennett as Velma, Paul Manuel as Corny Collins, Rachael Wooding as Amber, Elinor Collett as Penny, and Ben James-Ellis as Link. The original creative team of the Broadway production, with director Jack O'Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, reunited for the London production. The show garnered a record-setting eleven Olivier Award nominations and won for Best New Musical, as well as acting awards