Jennifer Hudson & Harvey Fierstein to Star in Hairspray Live!

NBC's next live Broadway musical invites two theater vets to its cast: Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein. Hudson will take on the role of Motormout Maybelle, while Fierstein will play Edna Turnblad, a role that won him a Tony when the show first premiered on Broadway. Fierstein will also write the teleplay, which examines life during the racist 1960s in Baltimore.

"We are beyond thrilled with this incredibly talented duo of stars for Hairspray Live!" said NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt. "Harvey Fiersteincreated the role of Edna Turnblad on Broadway in an indelible Tony-winning performance that demanded to be memorialized on film, and we're happy he wanted to step into her shoes one last, unforgettable time. We're also so grateful that the incomparable Jennifer Hudson will play Motormouth Maybelle and we know her rendition of 'I Know Where I've Been' will literally stop the show."

Grab your canisters of hairspray and get ready for Hairspray Live!'s December 7 premiere.