The announcement was made by NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt Jan. 13, with an expected broadcast date during the 2016 holiday season. Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, Hairspray made its Tony-winning debut on Broadway in 2002 and was adapted into a movie musical in 2007.
Fierstein, who originated the role of Edna Turnblad alongside Marissa Jaret Winokur as Tracy in the Broadway production, took to Twitter to show his enthusiasm for reprising the role.
@neilmeron
@craigzadan
@marcshaiman
@nbc Cast
@HarveyFierstein! No other Edna shall suffice
— Ryan G. Hinds (@ryanghinds)
January 13, 2016
The people have spoken!!!!
https://t.co/ZtigKGBvKF
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein)
January 13, 2016
A number of people also expressed interest at seeing Blonsky, who played Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 movie, return to the role.
Great news for Nikki Blonsky: Hairspray will be NBC's next live musical.
https://t.co/DInayznlEq
pic.twitter.com/AHDIrF0dOS
— Amanda M. Steiner (@amandamichl)
January 13, 2016
Along with Blonsky, the 2007 film adaptation starred Zac Efron, John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Michelle Pfeiffer. Blonsky could have an inside track, considering the film's producers, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, are also behind the NBC re-imagining. The duo, who have produced the network's past three live musicals, also expressed their enthusiasm for the new project via Twitter yesterday.
I love this pic. Right at the start of it all
#Hairpsray Now
#Live!
@marcshaiman
#ScottWittman
@nbc
@craigzadan
pic.twitter.com/DTJI8dOay7
— Neil Meron (@neilmeron)
January 13, 2016
Jackie Hoffman, meanwhile, who played the Gym Teacher in the Broadway version, joked that she was unlikely to be cast in the NBC production.
Wonder what person who is not me will be recreating the roles I originated for Hairspray on TV
— Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16)
January 13, 2016
In Hairspray, a teenage girl achieves her dream of performing on a TV dance show in 1960's Baltimore, at the same time working to significantly change racial injustices in the community. Casting and a broadcast date have not yet been announced.
