Sean Hayes and Rosie O'Donnell Join Cast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE!

It was announced Tuesday that Broadway vets, Sean Hayes and Rosie O'Donnell would be joining the cast of NBC's Hairspray Live! as Mr. Pinky and Tracy Turnblad's gym teacher. This news comes hot on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Disney channel star, Dove Cameron, and Garrett Clayton would be joining the cast as Amber von Tussle and Link Larkin, respectively.

Ms. O' Donnell, a recipient of the Isabelle Stevenson Award, is a longtime proponent of theatre and has been previously seen on the Great White Way in "Seussical!", "Grease", and "Fiddler on the Roof".

Emmy winner Sean Hayes recently returned to Broadway as God himself in a limited 14-week engagement of the hit comedy An Act of God at the Booth Theatre, which began on May 28, 2016. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for his work in the revival of "Promises, Promises".

In "Hairspray Live!," 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, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show."

In addition to Broadway vet Kristin Chenoweth, "Hairspray Live!" stars Harvey Fierstein, who will recreate his iconic Tony Award-winning role; Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Jennifer Hudson; musical superstar Ariana Grande, whose new album "Dangerous Woman" debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 Chart; Tony and Emmy winner Martin Short; and Emmy winner Derek Hough. Also recently cast was newcomer Maddie Baillio, who will play Tracy Turnblad.

Acclaimed live television director Alex Rudzinski ("Dancing with the Stars") will join Tony-winning director Kenny Leon ("The Wiz Live!"). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning "Chicago," "The Wiz Live!" and the upcoming "A Few Good Men Live!") serve as executive producers of "Hairspray Live!" Harvey Fierstein will also provide a new teleplay and Tony winner Jerry Mitchell ("Kinky Boots," "On Your Feet") will serve as choreographer for the live production with music and lyrics by Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Smash," the upcoming feature "Mary Poppins Returns" and the Broadway-bound "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory").

Photo Credit: Walter McBride