Tag Archives: “Barely Lethal”

Dove Cameron tabbed for ‘Hairspray Live’ role

Bainbridge Island product Dove Cameron has sung and danced her way onto NBC’s December live broadcast of the Tony Award-winning hit musical “Hairspray.”

Cameron, currently playing identical twin sisters on the Disney Channel series “Liv and Ma0429_KSFE_Doveddie” (which begins airing its fourth season this fall), has been tapped to star as mean girl Amber Von Tussle.

Another Disney Channel alum, Garrett Clayton (the “Teen Beach Movie” franchise) was announced to play teen heartthrob Link Larkin. The casting of Cameron — who turned 20 in January — and Clayton is thought to be a move by NBC to attract a younger audience to the network’s ongoing series of small-screen live musical adaptations.

Previously, NBC announced that Harvey Fierstein will recreate his Tony Award-winning Broadway role as Edna Turnblad; Kristin Chenoweth is on board as Velma Von Tussle; Martin Short will play Wilbur Turnblad; pop star Ariana Grande is cast as Penny Pingleton; Derek Hough will be TV host Corny Collins; Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will play Motormouth Maybelle. Newcomer Maddie Baillio, a New York high school sophomore, won the role of Tracy Turnblad.

Chenoweth, one of the biggest stars in musical theater, was Cameron’s castmate in the 2015 Disney Channel movie “Descendants,” and voiced her support for Cameron to be cast in Disney’s upcoming big-screen version of “Wicked,” in the role of Glinda — which Chenoweth played on Broadway.

“Descendants 2” is set to air on Disney Channel in 2017. Cameron also has participated in other Disney Channel products, including a lead role in the film “Cloud 9.” Outside of the Disney Channel, she earned thumbs-up reviews for her part in the 2015 film “Barely Lethal.” She made her first marks on Hollywood in 2012 with guest spots on the TV series “Shameless” and “The Mentalist.”

“Hairspray Live” will air December 7 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

— MM

 

Bainbridge actress’ ‘Barely Lethal’ on screen May 29

The new film featuring Bainbridge Island’s Dove Cameron, “Barely Lethal,” opens in limited theatrical release and on-demand video on May 29.

The film also stars Hailee Steinfeld, “Game of Thrones'” Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark, y’all!), Jessica Alba and Samuel L. “What’s in Your Wallet?” Jackson.  Steinfeld plays a teen traine11268969_10152838440461373_1464498586879464115_nd from childhood to be an assassin who stows herself away to a bucolic little town to experience “normal” teen age. Cameron (currently starring on Disney Channel’s “Liv and Maddie,” as, well, both Liv and Maddie) plays the daughter in the host family where Megan (Steinfeld) has herself assigned as an exchange student.

“Liv and Maddie” has been renewed by Disney for a third season. She’s also featured in a Disney Channel original movie, “Descendents,” set for release on the mouse-eared cable channel in the very near future.

In his review of the film for Tribune News Service, critic Roger Moore writes, “The best lines go to Dove Cameron, as the edgy, eye-rolling “sister” in Megan’s host family. Her put-downs, long or short, are terminal.”

“Barely Lethal” hits movie screens in selected cities on May 29 before moving on to a wider release. No word yet on when it’ll hit Seattle-area cineplexes. The photo above was taken at the Los Angeles premiere of the film on Wednesday night (May 27).

— MM