Before hitting the live broadcast, Hairspray Live! stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes will host a live half-hour pre-show, airing at 7:30PM on NBC on December 7.
The special, titled Countdown to Hairspray Live!, will give viewers a glimpse into the last-minute backstage preparations before the telecast, as well as a look at the casting process, rehearsals and design of the production.
Chenoweth and Hayes starred on Broadway in the 2010 revival of Promises, Promises, each winning Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards for their performances. In Hairspray Live!, Chenoweth will play Velma Von Tussle, with Hayes taking on the role of Hefty Hide-a-Way owner Mr. Pinky.
Hairspray Live! also stars newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad, Harvey Feirstein as Edna Turnblad, Jennifer Hudson as Motoromouth Maybelle, Ariana Grande as Penny Pingleton, Dove Cameron as Amber Von Tussle, Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, Ephraim Sykes as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Andrea Martin as Prudy Pingleton, Derek Hough as Corny Collins, Shahadi Wright Joseph as Little Inez and additional featured parts for Rosie O’Donnell, Paul Vogt, Billy Eichner and more.