Andrea Martin to play Ariana Grande's mom in 'Hairspray Live!'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Broadway icon Andrea Martin has signed on to play Prudy Pingleton, the mother of Ariana Grande's character Penny in NBC's Hairspray Live!

Set in 1960s Baltimore, the movie musical is to premiere Dec. 7. Its cast will also include the previously announced Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, Sean Hayes and Rosie O'Donnell, as well as newcomer Maddie Baillio.

"Martin will play Prudy Pingleton, Penny Pingleton's overprotective and often closed-minded mother who doesn't approve of her daughter being best friends with a rebel like Tracy Turnblad," a press release said.

Martin has received more Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations as a featured actress in a musical than any other performer, NBC noted. She most recently won both awards for the 2013 production of Pippin. Her other stage credits include My Favorite Year, Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma!, Candide and Noises Off.

She has appeared as well in the television comedy series SCTV, Nurse Jackie and Difficult People, and the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Wag the Dog and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.