Kristin Chenoweth Is 'Excited' to Co-Star in NBC's 'Hairspray Live!'

By
Getty Images

In totally perfect casting news, Kristin Chenoweth is headed to NBC’s Hairspray Live!.

Chenoweth will play Velma Von Tussle, the manipulative producer of The Corny Collins Show, who will stop at nothing to make her daughter, Amber, the star Velma never was. Unfortunately for the Von Tussles, they have to contend with Tracy Turnblad (newcomer Maddie Baillio) and Velma vows to do everything in her power to topple Tracy.

RELATED: Here's Who Should Star in NBC's Live 'Hairspray' Musical

“I clinched Miss Baltimore Crabs! SO excited to play Velma Von Tussle in @HairsprayLive this December!” the 47-year-old actress tweeted on Tuesday, along with a pic of her getting pageant-ready.

RELATED: NBC's 'Hairspray Live!' Finds Tracy Turnblad -- Meet the New Star!

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt praised the Broadway veteran, calling her “one of the best musical performers in the world.”

“Everything she does is incredible, going back to the iconic Glinda in Wicked, and there’s no one better to play Velma Von Tussle,” he continued. We’d have to agree!

Chenoweth joins an ensemble cast that includes Baillio, Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short and Derek Hough. It also marks the fourth time she will be working with Hairspray Live! producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, with whom she previously collaborated on the Annie TV musical, The Music Man TV musical and the Broadway revival Promises, Promises.


Hairspray Live!
will air Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. PT/ET on NBC.