Sean Hayes and Rosie O’Donnell join Hairspray Live!

Sean Hayes and Rosie O’Donnell are adding more star power to the upcoming Hairspray Live! TV event.
Bosses at America’s NBC network announced the latest casting news during the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Tuesday (02Aug16). Will & Grace star Sean is set to take the role of dress shop owner Mr. Pinky and Rosie will play the gym teacher in the adaptation of the ’60s-set musical.
Both stars are no strangers to musicals, having both appeared on Broadway multiple times, and Sean is currently starring in play An Act of God on the Great White Way section of New York’s famous theatre district.
During Tuesday’s panel, actor and writer Harvey Fierstein insisted the show, which deals with themes of racism and integration, is exactly what the world needs now, when violence seems to be more prevalent than ever.
“You don’t update history. You tell history,” Harvey said. “You be true to it or as true to it as you can. You can change laws. The war is to change hearts. And nothing does that like song does.”
Harvey, who will play Edna Turnblad in the programme, will be joined by the likes of Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Derek Hough, Martin Short and newcomer Maddie Baillio as the lead role of Tracy Turnblad.
Hairspray Live! airs in America on 7 December (16).