Hudson and Fierstein Join NBC’s ‘Hairspray’

Welcome to the 60’s, Harvey and Jennifer!

The first Hairspray cast notices for NBC’s live presentation of the Broadway musical have been announced. Harvey Fierstein will return to his Tony Award-winning role as the Turblad matriarch, Edna. Fierstein is a Broadway legend, and it’s fantastic that they didn’t cast a huge Hollywood name that doesn’t have much experience on the stage. I’m sure we all remember the mixed reception to John Travolta’s take on the role when the film adaptation arrived in 2007.

Speaking of veterans, Jennifer Hudson will follow up her Broadway debut (in the hugely acclaimed revival of The Color Purple) with a supporting turn as Motormouth Maybelle, the record store owner and television personality that befriends our hero Tracy Turnblad. Maybelle’s power ballad in the second act, “I Know Where I’ve Been,” will surely be a highlight. They had an open call in New York City to find the new Tracy Turnblad, so expect the newcomer to be surrounded by a slew of veterans.

Stay tuned for more Hairspray cast announcements as they come out!

Update: NBC announced additional cast members. Martin Short will play Wilbur, husband to Fierstein’s Edna Turnblad. Dancing with the Stars vet Derek Hough will play Corny Collins, host of Baltimore’s local TV program “The Corny Collins Show.”