The 47-year-old actress announces the casting news on Instagram along with a photo of her wearing a tiara while spraying hairspray.
- June 22, 2016
AceShowbiz -
Kristin Chenoweth has been added to the cast of "Hairspray Live!". The 47-year-old actress will take on the role of Velma Von Tussle, famously played by Debbie Harry and Michelle Pfeiffer, in the NBC live broadcast of the Tony-winning Broadway musical.
Kristin announced the casting news on Instagram on Tuesday, June 21 along with a photo of her wearing a tiara while spraying hairspray. "I clinched Miss Baltimore Crabs! SO excited to announce my role as Velma Von Tussle in #HairsprayLive this December! @nbchairspraylive," she captioned it.
"Hairspray Live!" producer Neil Meron shared on Twitter a photo of him, Craig Zadan and Kristin, who have been working together on a TV remake of "Annie", "The Music Man" and Broadway "Promises", along with caption, "A look at where the love affair w/ @KChenoweth began and now #Velma @HairsprayLive @nbc @craigzadan #Reunited #Magic."
A look at where the love affair w/ @KChenoweth began and now #Velma @HairsprayLive @nbc @craigzadan #Reunited #Magic pic.twitter.com/jIZB7l7TKM
— Neil Meron (@neilmeron) June 21, 2016
Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement, "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'. 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!"
Directed by Kenny Leon, "Hairspray Live!", also starring Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein, Martin Short, Derek Hough and Maddie Baillio, is set to air on NBC on December 7.
