Billy Eichner Joins Cast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE!; Original Dynamites to Return!

BWW has just learned that funny man Billy Eichner has joined the cast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! as Rob Barker, the Baltimore TV newscaster who reports on Tracy Turnblad and her escape from prison in an attempt to integrate the "Corny Collins Show." Other TV and film credits include "Difficult People," "Billy on the Street," "Neighbors 2: Sorority Uprising" and "The Angry Birds Movie."

In addition, NBC announced that HAIRSPRAY's original Dynamites, Shayna Steele, Kamilah Marshall and Judine Somerville, will return for the live holiday broadcast.

Airing Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8-11 p.m. ET/PT) HAIRSPRAY LIVE will star Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, Ephraim Sykes, Shahadi Wright Joseph, exciting newcomer Maddie Baillio, and special guest stars Sean Hayes, Andrea Martin, and Rosie O'Donnell.

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").

Ensemble cast members include: Josh Alexander, William Bell, Helene Britany, Riley Costello
Kelli Ann Erdmann, Zack Everhart, Sam Faulkner, Annie Gratton, Thomasina Gross, Marissa Heart, Joanna Jones, Jacque Lewarne, Tommy Martinez, Allie Meixner, Eliotte Nicole, Tiana Okoye, Amos Oliver III, Tyler Parks, Re'sean Pates, Andrew Pirozzi, Katherine Roarty, Rhon Sanders, Ricky Schroeder, Heather Tepe, Joy Marie Thomas, Mason Trueblood, Karl Skyler Urban, Keenan Washington and Jason Williams.