Former Cheers star George Wendt is set to become the latest actor to try on Edna Turnblad's dress for size after signing on to play the heavyweight "Hairspray" part on Broadway.

The actor, who played barfly Norm in the hit sitcom, will take over the role of Turnblad on October 23 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre. He'll play the larger-than-life role throughout autumn and Christmas, wrapping up on January 20.

John Travolta and Divine have both played Edna on the big screen and British star Michael Ball is currently playing the role onstage in London.

:lol:

That's great!

That's cool. Hopefully he is good in it.

Very cool! :cool: George Wendt does have musical experience - he played Mr. MacAfee in the 1995 TV movie version of Bye Bye Birdie. By the way, the most famous person to play that role, both on Broadway and in the original movie, was Paul Lynde (Bewitched & Hollywood Squares). It's kind of funny to imagine both of them playing the same role as they look and sound nothing alike. :lol:

Now I really want to go to New York!

that is good to here that George is still Acting

Darn! I wish it was in Chicago--I'd be going.