Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein will join ‘Hairspray Live!’
26 April 2016 Entertainment News
Fourth Estate Staff
Los Angeles, CA, United States (4E) – Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein have reportedly signed with NBC for “Hairspray Live!” and that the show will be this coming December.
As per the announcement, Hudson has joined the cast of the live musical as Motormouth Maybelle . She is the owner of a local record store and the mother of Seaweed, the friend of Tracy Turnblad from detention. Fierstein ,, on the other hand, will be returning for the role of Edna Turnblad , the mother of Tracy.
Robert Greenblatt , the chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement, “We are beyond thrilled with this incredibly talented duo of stars for Hairspray Live!” Greenblatt said that Fierstein created the role of Edna Turnblad on Broadway in an “indelible Tony-winning performance that demanded to be memorialized on film, and we're happy he wanted to step into her shoes one last, unforgettable time.” He also said that they are grateful to have Hudson as her rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” will “literally stop the show.”
Fierstein reportedly played the role of Edna for the first two years out of the seven-year run of the show on Broadway. It was also famously played by John Travolta in the movie adaptation back in 2007. As for Hudson’s role, it was brought to life by Queen Latifah in the aforementioned film.
Alex Rudzinski , the director of Fox’s “Grease Live!” earlier this year will also be directing “Hairspray Live!” The stage director is Kenny Leon while the executive producers are Craig Zadan and Neil Meron . Jerry Mitchell will be the choreographer and music and lyrics will be by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman .
“Hairspray Live!” will air on December 7 at 8 P.M. and will originate from Los Angeles.
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