Following the success of last December’s "The Wiz Live!," NBC will air its fourth live musical this winter—and Jennifer Hudson confirmed she has a lead role.
The Academy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and singer will portray "Motormouth Mable" in "Hairspray Live!" Hudson, who currently stars in the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple," tweeted about it on Monday (April 25):
So excited to play Motormouth Mable in #HairsprayLive premiering Dec 7th on @NBC! #YouCantStopTheBeat
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) April 25, 2016
Hudson will perform alongside Harvey Fierstein, who will reprise his Tony Award-winning portrayal of "Edna Turnbald."
"Hairspray" is set in early 1960s Baltimore and depicts a White youth’s coming of age in a time marked by tense race relations and the rise of R&B. Hudson’s character, a Black television show host and record store owner, was potrayed by Queen Latifah in the 2007 film version.
"Hairspray Live!" will air on NBC on December 7.
(H/t NBC News)