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VIDEO: HAIRSPRAY LIVE's Kristin Chenoweth Doesn't Get Crabby When Her Name Is Misspelled

By: Aug. 01, 2016
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As reported by BroadwayWorld, Kristin Chenoweth will be taking on the role of the deliciously evil Velma Von Tussle, a/k/a the former Miss Baltimore Crabs, in NBC's live broadcast of the hit musical HAIRSPRAY.

Playing the snobby and racist stage mother will no doubt be a stretch for the kind-hearted Broadway star. For example, as seen in the video, when she arrived at work to find her name misspelled at her parking spot, there were no diva fits or demand for someone to be fired. She just pulled out a marker and made the correction herself.

Not the least bit crabby.

NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE will air Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. The all-star cast includes Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short, Derek Hough and exciting newcomer Maddie Baillio.

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."

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").




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