Seriously? OMG! WTF?

FIRST, Broadway was invaded by "American Idol" contestants. Now, it looks as if the Great White Way will soon be inundated with hoofers from "Dancing With the Stars." The rumor backstage at "The Producers" is that Mario Lopez – who finished second to Emmitt Smith on the last edition of the wildly popular ABC reality series – is being wooed to join the Broadway production as nebbishy account Leo Bloom in the spring. The pursuit of Lopez is part of a big push to keep "The Producers," which had some shaky weeks at the box office earlier this year, on the boards until "Young Frankenstein," Mel Brooks’ next show, moves into the St. James in the fall of 2007. Television star Tony Danza joins the cast as Max Bialystock later this month, and hopes are he’ll keep ticket sales up during the post-holiday doldrums. Playing Bloom opposite Danza until March will be Roger Bart, who’s always fun to see in the role. (He was the show’s original Carmen Ghia.) The success of "Dancing With the Stars" – it draws between 15 million and 20 million viewers – has producers of long-running musicals regularly checking the availability of past contestants. The producers hope to line up some of them for the summer, when Broadway’s awash in tourists. Lopez is also on producers Fran and Barry Weissler’s list of possible Billy Flynns in "Chicago." So is Harry Hamlin, who appeared on the last edition of "Dancing With the Stars." Other "Dancing With the Stars" alums being eyed by theater producers and casting directors include Joey Lawrence, Lisa Rinna, Drew Lachey (who appeared in "Rent" a few years before he did "Dancing With the Stars") and John O’Hurley.

NY Post 

How could Lopez ever be considered for Bloom, just because someone has a name does not mean they should do the role. It is sad state when hasbeens get cast to bring in audience to a Broadway show that is long past it’s run. Many years ago I saw Cabaret with an unknown and he blew me away. There are several actors who are deserving of the roles and let’s hope they get a shot and not just banished to the chorus for a hasbeen. That is just my 2 cents!

Stage, screen, television and recording artist Tony Danza will return to Broadway after a seven-year absence to star as Max Bialystock in The Producers. Tony Award-winner and original cast member Roger Bart will also return to the role of Leo Bloom opposite Danza. The new ‘Bialystock and Bloom’ begin performances on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. Danza’s engagement ends on Sunday, March 11, 2007. Bart’s engagement ends on Sunday, February 11, 2007.

Broadway World 

I say with Roger Bart…keep him gay, keep him gay, keep him gaaaay! And Tony Danza is just so not right for this.
The Producers has become the new Chicago where they will cast any name that says yes.

With The Fonz playing Captain Hook and a former Dallas star playing a baron in Cinderella, this year’s pantomime season has a touch of iconic America. Former American television stars Henry Winkler and Patrick Duffy, along with their panto co-stars, attended the National Press Launch of Family Entertainment’s run of pantos. Held at the Piccadilly Theatre in Central London, the launch of Christmas pantomimes this year included Aladdin, Cinderella, Mother Goose, Peter Pan, Jack & the Beanstalk, and Snow White. Winkler began his role on Happy Days as a minor character but, by the end of the show’s run in 1984, had become an national icon. Duffy played Bobby Ewing in the classic 80s soap opera Dallas and later gained a following as a hapless dad in the sitcom Step by Step.

Daily Mail (story) and Wire Image (photo) 

There is just something so wrong about that picture. 

Miami Vice star Don Johnson is to join the West End cast of Guys and Dolls. The 56-year-old actor will appear in the role of Nathan Detroit – which was made famous by Frank Sinatra in the 1955 film – from January. Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze, who is currently playing the character, finishes his run on 4 December. Johnson started his career in musical theatre but found fame on the 1980s cop show Miami Vice. He later starred in the detective drama Nash Bridges.

BBC 

The West End loves American has-beens, I wonder who is next???

TONY Danza may be coming back to New York. After his talk show was canceled last year, he flew back to Los Angeles where his wife and kids were waiting. But Danza is now in talks to play Max Bialystock – the role Nathan Lane made famous, and which is now being played by John Treacy Egan – in "The Producers" on Broadway. Danza’s rep confirmed the "preliminary discussions" and added, "It would be for three months, from December to February."

Page Six 

I have loved him since Taxi, but I do not think this is the role for him.

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