Music superstar and stage and television actressAriana Grandehas been added to an already impressive cast for NBC’s Hairspray Live, playing the role of Penny Pingleton, Tracy Turnblad’s incorrigible best friend.Grandejoins an announced stellar cast that includesHarvey Fierstein,Jennifer Hudson,Kristin Chenoweth,Martin Short,Derek Houghand exciting newcomerMaddie Baillio. The highly anticipated live musical production, to be telecast Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, will be executive produced byCraig ZadanandNeil Meron. Here’s what NBC chairmanRobert Greenblatthad to say in a statement.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to round out our all-starHairspray Live!cast withAriana Grande, one of the biggest recording artists in the world. She’s also aBroadwaybaby at heart, having debuted on Broadway when she was 15, and will be fantastic in the delightful role of Penny Pingleton. We look forward to her millions of fans seeing yet another side to this multifaceted performer and we welcome her to this incredible ensemble of artists.”
Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical,NBC’sHairspray Live!takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When, against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy’s mother is the indomitable Edna Turnblad, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white “Corny Collins Show.”
In 2013Grandereached #1 on the Billboard Top 200 twice - first with her first solo debut, “Yours Truly,” and also with its follow-up, “My Everything.” “Yours Truly” hit #1 on the iTunes Overall Top Songs chart while the platinum-selling “My Everything” garnered aGrammy Awardnomination for Best Pop Vocal Album and spawned the 6x platinum hit “Problem.” Moreover, it debuted at #1 in 85 countries, topping the iTunes Overall Top Songs and Pop Songs charts for four weeks.
Grandealso became the first woman in history and first artist since Michael Jackson to simultaneously have three songs -“Problem,” “Break Free” featuring Zedd, and “Bang Bang” withNicki MinajandJessie J- in the top six of the Digital Songs Chart. “Bang Bang” went platinum and was Grammy nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. By the end of the year, Grande landed four songs in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any artist. In 2014 she had five Hot 100 Top 10 smashes.
Earlier this yearGrandereleased her mega-anticipated third full-length album, “Dangerous Woman,” which was driven by the title track that reached #1 on both iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart and Top Pop Songs Chart minutes after release. “Dangerous Woman” also debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her the distinction of becoming the first artist to debut on the chart with the lead single from her first three albums.
As an actress, Grande reprised herVictoriousrole as Cat Valentine in the 2013 Nickelodeon seriesSam & Cat. Last year, Grande co-starred in the Fox seriesScream Queens. In March, Grande was the musical guest onSaturday Night Live, marking her second appearance on the iconic late-night franchise. On the stage,Grandewas cast as a cheerleader in 2008 in the Broadway musical13.
Craig ZadanandNeil Meron(producers of all of NBC’s live musicals and the upcomingA Few Good Men Live!) serve as executive producers ofHairspray Live!. Live television directorAlex Rudzinskiwill join directorKenny Leon(The Wiz Live!) forHairspray Live!.Harvey Fiersteinwill provide a new teleplay andJerry Mitchell(Kinky Boots,On Your Feet) will serve as choreographer for the live production with music and lyrics byMarc ShaimanandScott Wittman(Smashand Broadway’s upcomingCharlie and the Chocolate Factory).Hairspray Live!, which will originate from Los Angeles, is produced by Universal Television.
