NeNe Leakes ("The Real Housewives of Atlanta") will take over the role of the wicked stepmother in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella," producers announced today. She replaces the exiting Sherri Shepard, and joins actress Keke Palmer, who stepped into the title title role in early September.

Producers of the Rodgers + Hammerstein work also announced that the production will end its nearly 2-year run on January 3. Leakes will play the role from November 25 to the show’s closing early next year.

First played in the production by Harriet Harris, "Madame" (as the wicked stepmother is called in the musical) was also a showcase for Fran Drescher, for 6 months earlier this year.

This will be Leakes’ Broadway debut. 

Keke and NeNe together…