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Georgia Entertainment Scene

'Hairspray Live!' - behind the scenes with Kenny Leon, Kristin Chenoweth and Jennifer Hudson

Kenny Leon on set with Kristin Chenoweth. Photo: RYON HORNE/RHORNE@AJC.COM
Kenny Leon on set with Kristin Chenoweth. Photo: RYON HORNE/RHORNE@AJC.COM
Melissa Ruggieri
By Melissa Ruggieri
Dec 7, 2016

A few weeks ago, video producer Ryon Horne and I traveled to Los Angeles to spend the day on the NBC set of “Hairspray Live!”

We were there to observe Atlanta's Kenny Leon – the Tony Award-winning director who is steering this live remake, which airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. on NBC – and in the course of the day were able to chat with much of the cast, including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Harvey Fierstein, Kristin Chenoweth and Derek Hough.

We – as well as the cast – also received a surprise in the form of Denzel Washington, a longtime Leon pal who stopped by to provide Team Hairspray with a pep talk.