Pop star Ariana Grande will be joining NBC’s upcoming live television production Hairspray Live!.
Grande will be taking on the role of Penny Pingleton, the best friend of main character Tracy Turnblad. Amanda Bynes portrayed Penny in the 2007 film version of the musical.
The “Dangerous Woman” singer revealed the news on Twitter, as well as her excitement over the new gig:
most of you know that i’m really just a musical theater geek…. like a really big one… so…. my heart is very full re: this announcement
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
I AM NOWWW A CHECKERBOARD CHICK #HairsprayLive #Penny
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
Penny has been a dream role since Hairspray opened on Broadway. At 9, I was (and still am) in LOVE w @KerryButlerNyc. hope to make u proud 😭
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
anyway… I’m so honored and beyond excited to be a part of this dream cast…… I will for sure pass out at the table read. #HairsprayLive
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
“We’re absolutely thrilled to round out our all-star ‘Hairspray Live!’ cast with Ariana Grande, one of the biggest recording artists in the world,” Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment Chairman, said in a statement. “She’s also a Broadway baby at heart, having debuted on Broadway when she was 15, and will be fantastic in the delightful role of Penny Pingleton. We look forward to her millions of fans seeing yet another side to this multifaceted performer and we welcome her to this incredible ensemble of artists.”
Hairspray Live! is also set to star Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Kristin Chenoweth, and newcomer newcomer Maddie Baillio. It will air on NBC on Wednesday, December 7, at 7pm CST.
