That Hough with the good hair! Derek Hough is joining NBC’s upcoming Hairspray Live! along with comedian Martin Short, the network announced on Thursday, April 28.
“We are very happy to have the inimitable Martin Short to play Edna’s loving husband, Wilbur,” NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt announced in a statement. “We welcome Marty to the network in May in his new variety show with Maya Rudolph and we think he will be the perfect long-term companion to Harvey’s Edna. And hands-down the best dancer on television and one of the best in the entertainment business, Derek Hough, will be perfect in the role of Corny Collins, the cocky song-and-dance man who hosts the TV show every teenager in Baltimore wants to be on.”
Hough, 30, and Short, 66, will be joining previously announced cast members Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein. Hudson is slated to play Motormouth Maybelle, whose character owns the local record store. The former American Idol star turned actress is currently appearing in Broadway’s production of The Color Purple. Hudson famously won a best supporting actress Academy Award in 2007 for her role in Dreamgirls.
Fierstein, who has already won a Tony for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, will reprise his role as the character in the upcoming NBC production.
New addition Hough has already appeared in numerous stage productions, and is a recurring dance pro on ABC’s beloved series Dancing With the Stars. His casting news comes after his younger sister Julianne starred on Fox’s Grease: Live this past January.
NBC’s production of Hairspray Live! will air on December 7, 2016.
