Hairspray is NBC’s next live musical, chairman Bob Greenblatt confirms.
NBC is coming off a victory lap for The Wiz Live!, which aired in December to solid reviews and ratings, a yellow brick road filled with gay-inclusive themes, and a musical number by Mary J. Blige that redefined camp for a new generation.
We’ve gotta say Hairspray, the musical adaptation of John Waters’ beloved 1988 comedy, isn’t the most thrilling choice, particularly since the 2007 movie version was so well-done and a huge hit at the box office. However, Greenblatt hinted that diversity was a big factor in his selection of the next NBC musical, and Hairspray provides ample opportunity on that front.
The cast can be black and white, young and old, and there is one plum role that is historically played by a man in drag. Since it’s never too early to start speculating on potential cast members, we’d love to see Bianca Del Rio slap on a fatsuit and play Edna Turnblad.
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It seems like One Direction is officially dunzo, so Harry Styles or Zayn Malik would both be good candidates for Link Larkin, and Bella Thorne seems just bitchy enough to play Amber Von Tussle. Theater legend Audra MacDonald did NBC’s The Sound Of Music Live and would make an amazing Motormouth Maybelle since Queen Latifah is unlikely to return.
We’ll leave it up to Queerty members to speculate on the rest of the cast, but our money’s on an open casting call to find a newcomer to play Tracy Turnblad. They did the same thing to find Shanice Williams for The Wiz Live!, got a ton of free press, and anointed a shiny new star.
If you just can’t wait until December, we recommend you watch the 2007 Hairspray flick. It’ll keep you humming just long enough for official casting news to start trickling out. As a bonus, James Marsden is seriously hot in it and will make you wonder how he somehow escaped Gay Icon status.
rikard
when can we be done with straight boys playing gay and skinny bitches in a fat suit? I would dearly love to see Harvy back in the role of Edna. Travolta was a lox and it was such an insult to Harv to be left out of the film. I would also like to see Ben Stiller in the Mr Pinky role. Ariana Grande would be great as Amber with Sofia Vargara as her mom. Corny should be sexy, but much older so there is something extra creepy about the way the shallow girls flirt with him.
Miss Understood
Gabourey Sidibe as Tracey
Latrice Royalle as Mama.
Bob LaBlah
I wish the casting director luck in topping this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApNp4L1H3vs
Desert Boy
Wow! I didn’t know this. I agree about Audra MacDonald as Motormouth Maybelle. She is simply glorious, a staggeringly great talent. I had the special honor of seeing her in person at a benefit and she’s the real-deal. Her voice soars, it’s huge and Miss Audra knows how to work a stage.
lykeitiz
Corny Collins – Steve Grand
Amber Von Tussle – Emma Roberts
Velma Von Tussle – Kim Cattrall
Link Larkin – Nick Jonas
Tracy Turnblad – Rebel Wilson
Edna Turnblad – Chi Chi LaRue
Sluggo2007
Interesting choice of a musical by NBC. Can’t wait to hear all the screaming from the Christians below the Mason-Dixon line.
Kieran
Can’t they just replay the original film on NBC?
Glücklich
@ruthmacdonald:
Aside from being terribly written, your spam is factually incorrect.
One of Marissa Meyer’s first moves as CEO – and well-publicized at that – was to abolish working from home and forcing remote-based Yahoo employees *back* into the office, you stupid crook.
JessPH
The Wiz was great. I don’t think anything can top that.
Spike
I’ll watch for the costumes . . .
Bob LaBlah
@Miss Understood…….Flotilla de Barge would be perfect as either Motor-Mouth Maebelle or Edna. Too bad ol’ Flo is no longer thought of though. Say what you want about her, the girl could sing and at one time used to pack Fez with her Christmas shows..