JENNIFER HUDSON TO STAR IN NBC HAIRSPRAY LIVE

Jennifer Hudson STAYS booked.  She's set to star in the next NBC live production. Fresh off the news she will be wrapping up her stint as Shug Avery on the Broadway adaptation of The Color Purple, Jennifer Hudson isn't taking anybody's break.  Chick is already booked.

It was just announced today that she will star in NBC's upcoming production of "Hairspray Live!"  The Oscar winner will headline the cast as Motormouth Maybelle for the network's next Broadway musical holiday event following the huge success of “The Wiz Live!”

NBC Chair Robert Greenblatt said today in a statement:

“Harvey Fierstein created the role of Edna Turnblad on Broadway in an indelible Tony-winning performancethat 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.”

Harvey will also write the teleplay, and here's the synopsis:

“Hairspray Live!” takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When, against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy’s mother is the indomitable Edna Turnblad, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white “Corny Collins Show.”

By the way, she reunited with her Secret Life of Bees co-star Alicia Keys over the weekend.  Cute!


“Hairspray Live!” will air Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will originate from Los Angeles.  Congrats Jennifer!