Kristin Chenoweth Joins The Cast of NBC’s “Hairspray Live!”

After NBC’s triumphant televised production of The Wiz Live!, the network is returning next fall with Hairspray Live!. It was just announced today that Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle) will be joining the star-studded cast of Hairspray Live!. The televised special will also star Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Harvey Fierstein (Edna Turnblad), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Derek Hough (Corny Collins) and newcomer Maddie Baillio, who will play the lead role of Tracy.

Dreams do come true! @KChenoweth has joined the cast of #HairsprayLive as Velma Von Tussle!✨ https://t.co/JvOfTsvZn6 pic.twitter.com/EVMF2zVJSQ

— Hairspray Live! (@HairsprayLive) June 21, 2016

In a press release, Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment noted, “We are so excited and fortunate that Kristin — one of the best musical performers in the world — wants to come and play with us on Hairspray.” He continued, “Everything she does is incredible, going back to the iconic Glinda in Wicked, and there’s no one better to play Velma Von Tussle. Each year we find that more and more of the top talent in our business wants to experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of these live musicals, and the bigger the roster of stars, the better the event. This one is shaping up to be one of our best!”

Hairspray Live! airs December 7th at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.