Billy Eichner Joins ‘Hairspray Live!’
By Andy Swift
Fresh off his performance in the critically abhorred Carter: The Musical, Billy Eichner is making tracks for 1960s Baltimore.
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The Difficult People star has joined the cast of NBC’s Hairspray Live! as Rob Barker, the TV newsman who relays the story of Tracy Turnblad’s escape from prison in order to integrate a popular dance program. (Yeah, if you’re not familiar with Hairspray, this show goes in all kinds of awesome directions.)
And here’s a fun little note: Eichner’s Difficult People co-star Andrea Martin is also appearing in Hairspray Live! as Prudy, the mother of Ariana Grande’s Penny! (What, no role for Julie Klausner, NBC?)
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Additional cast members include Garrett Clayton (Teen Beach Movie) as local TV star Link Larkin, Jennifer Hudson (Smash) as record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle, Kristin Chenoweth (American Gods) as evil pageant queen Velma Von Tussle, Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie) as Velma’s daughter Amber, Derek Hough (Dancing With the Stars) as TV host Corny Collins, Martin Short (Maya & Marty) as Penny’s dad Wilbur, Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) as dress shop owner Mr. Pinky and Rosie O’Donnell (The Fosters) as a gym teacher.
The curtain rises on Hairspray Live! on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8/7c. Will you be tuning in? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
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