Hairspray Live! has added two theater veterans. Seussical The Musical’s Rosie O’Donnell and Just Jack’s Jack McFarland—sorry, An Act Of God’s Sean Hayes—will appear in the latest musical production from NBC. The news was announced during a Television Critics Association summer press tour panel yesterday.
Hayes will play Mr. Pinky, of Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway, who helps welcome Tracy Turnblad and her mother into the ’60s. O’Donnell is taking on the role of the gym teacher, an outdated lesbian joke. They join the previously announced cast, which consists of pop and Broadway stars like Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, and Kristin Chenoweth. Newbie Maddie Baillio nabbed the part of heroine Tracy, while Harvey Fierstein will reprise his Tony-winning role as Edna Turnblad. Recently, NBC announced Dove Cameron and Garrett Clayton, two Disney Channel stars with inexplicable names, will play Amber Von Tussle and Link Larkin, respectively. The show will air December 7.