Derek Hough and Martin Short join 'Hairspray Live!'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 27 (UPI) -- Entertainer Martin Short and professional dancer Derek Hough have joined the cast of Hairspray Live! NBC announced Wednesday.

Alex Rudzinski and Kenny Leon will direct the 1960s-set show, which is to be staged in Los Angeles Dec. 7. The ensemble will also include Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein.

"We are very happy to have the inimitable Martin Short to play Edna's loving husband, Wilbur," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said 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."