Mama, Ariana’s a big girl now.
Pop star Ariana Grande just announced on Twitter that she will be playing Penny Pingleton in NBC’s Hairspray Live.
After a series of tweets building up to the official news, Ariana Grande quoted one of Penny’s lines from Hairspray to let us know.
Grande will be playing Penny, the lovable, nerdy and rebellious sidekick to Tracy Turnblad, a teen who dreams of fame. Amanda Bynes played Penny in the 2007 film adaptation, and Kerry Butler originated the role in the 2002 Broadway production.
The self-proclaimed Musical Theatre Geek continued to release her excitement on Twitter.
Penny has been a dream role since Hairspray opened on Broadway. At 9, I was (and still am) in LOVE w @KerryButlerNyc. hope to make u proud
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
anyway… I’m so honored and beyond excited to be a part of this dream cast…… I will for sure pass out at the table read. #HairsprayLive
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
The pop star started her professional career in 2008 when she appeared in the Broadway musical 13, so she’s no stranger to live theatre.
Grande joins previously announced cast members Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad), Harvey Fierstein (Edna Turnblad, and he is also one of the show’s writers), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), Maddie Baillio (Tracy Turnblad) and Derek Hough (Corny Collins).
Hairspray is an uplifting musical comedy that also delves into the issues of racial segregation that faced Baltimore in the early 1960s. Hairspray Live will air on NBC on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET from Los Angeles.
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