Ariana Grande joins 'Hairspray Live!'

Singer Ariana Grande has joined the cast of "Hairspray Live!", which she called her dream role. Grande, 23, who will be playing

Penny Pingleton

took to Twitter to share her excitement about her new acting gig. "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 you proud," she wrote.

She added later, "Anyway... I'm so honoured and beyond excited to be a part of this dream cast...... I will for sure pass out at the table read. #HairsprayLive." She went on gushing, "I am now a checkerboard chick #HairsprayLive #Penny," adding on Instagram, "I've never been more excited." Penny is the slightly dorky best friend of central character Tracy Turnblad, who will be played by newcomer

Maddie Baillio

in the

NBC

musical event.

Kerry Butler

originated the character in the 2002 Broadway play, with Leslie

Ann Powers

and Amanda Bynes taking on the role in the 1988 and 2007 films, respectively.

"We're absolutely thrilled to round out our all-star 'Hairspray Live!' cast with Ariana Grande, one of the biggest recording artists in the world," NBC

Entertainment

chairman

Robert Greenblatt

said in a statement about the latest addition to the cast.

Listen to the songs of Ariana Grande on gaana.com

Grande also joins Martin Short, Harvey Fierstein, Derek Hough, Jennifer Hudson and Kristin Chenoweth in the cast.

Kenny Leon

will direct 'Hairspray Live!' and Fierstein writes the teleplay.

Craig Zadan

and

Neil Meron

serve as executive producers. The live production will be filmed in

Los Angeles

and air on December 7.