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Harvey Fierstein, Jerry Mitchell, and More Take Part in Hairspray Live! Creative Panel

The broadcast will air on December 7 on NBC.

Harvey Fierstein chats Hairspray Live!
Harvey Fierstein chats Hairspray Live!
(© Trae Patton/NBC)

On November 16, NBC hosted a panel discussion to celebrate its upcoming Hairspray Live! broadcast. The conversation included director Kenny Leon, choreographer Jerry Mitchell, star and adapter Harvey Fierstein, and others on the show's creative team. Hairspray Live! will air December 7 at 8pm EST on NBC.

Newcomer Maddie Baillio leads the cast in the role of Tracy Turnblad, with original Broadway Tony winner Harvey Fierstein reprising his performance as Edna, along with Garrett Clayton (Link Larkin), Ariana Grande (Penny Pingleton), Dove Cameron (Amber Von Tussle), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Derek Hough (Corny Collins), Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Sean Hayes (Mr. Pinky), Andrea Martin (Prudy Pingleton), and Rosie O'Donnell (Gym Teacher).

Hairspray features a Tony-winning score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and a Tony-winning book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Based on the film by John Waters, it tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight Baltimore teen with dreams of landing a spot on a TV dance show and bringing racial integration with her.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produced the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, will produce the live television edition. The Wiz Live! director Kenny Leon will take the helm, with Alex Rudzinski (Grease Live) directing for television. Jerry Mitchell will repeat his duties from the Broadway mounting as choreographer. Original Hairspray composer-lyricists Shaiman and Wittman are also on the team for the live work.