Seriously? OMG! WTF?

According to The New York Post’s Michael Riedel, more performers have been enlisted for the upcoming workshop of Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks’ new musical version of his beloved horror spoof. Susan Stroman–who previously won a Tony for staging Brooks’ The Producers–will direct the workshop, which will be performed in October for prospective backers. Joining Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) as Inga, Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley (Tarzan, Oklahoma!) as Frankenstein’s Monster and Tony Award-nominee Marc Kudisch (See What I Wanna See, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as the Police Inspector, will be Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster (The Drowsy Chaperone) as Elizabeth (the Madeline Kahn role), Roger Bart (The Producers) as Igor, and Cloris Leachman (reprising her film role) as Frau Blucher. Riedel states that the stars are likely to move to Broadway with the show. Casting is currently underway for the title role, which was created by Gene Wilder in the film. Although first choice Hugh Jackman was too busy, "Saturday Night Live" star Jimmy Fallon and TV star Tom Cavenaugh are reportedly both under consideration. Riedel also writes that the musical "tracks the movie pretty closely. The Irving Berlin estate has given Brooks the rights to ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz,’ so that hilarious dance sequence from the movie has the potential to be a showstopper. Brooks and Meehan have beefed up the relationship between Dr. Frankenstein and the Monster, and they’ve written several parodies of scenes from the classic Boris Karloff film." Young Frankenstein, inspired by the famed Mary Shelley novel, concerns the skeptical neurosurgeon grandson of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who returns to Frankenstein’s castle to find that the legendary monster was more than just a myth. The comedy, which was directed by Brooks with a screenplay by Brooks and Wilder, starred Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Leachman, Teri Garr, Kenneth Mars and more.

Broadway World

OMG! I so want to see this!
I guess that makes Roger Bart the only actor to open in both of Mel Brook’s Broadway shows! And how freaking cool that Chloris Leachmen will reprise her role!
PS The movie version of the Broadway musical based on the movie will be out in 2009…joking! 

Mark Brokaw (The Constant Wife, How I Learned to Drive) directs this stunning revival of the psychological drama by Tennessee Williams. Tony Award® and Emmy Award winner Blythe Danner (Follies, TV’s Huff) stars as the formidable Mrs. Venable, an aging widow distraught over the mysterious death of her son. When the young cousin who traveled with him, played by Carla Gugino (After the Fall), begins raising scandalous allegations, Mrs. Venable enlists the help of a young doctor (Gale Harold from TV’s Queer as Folk, Vanished) to preserve her son’s reputation.

Playbill 

I am so going to see this when I am in NY since he will no longer be on my TV on Monday nights. I just hope that the play’s fate doesn’t follow the same fate of the 3 leads’ TV shows.

There is an upside to getting kicked off "American Idol": Broadway may be interested. Constantine Maroulis is in the Broadway production of "The Wedding Singer," while Diana DeGarmo has just rejoined "Hairspray." And, Josh Strickland stars in "Tarzan" and Frenchie Davis is in "Rent." Maroulis said that he welcomes the challenge and he’s just trying to keep up right now. DeGarmo said she has "American Idol" fans coming to see her, and "Hairspray" fans who never saw her on television get to know what she can do. She said that she likes having a regular paycheck and the time to hit the studio to record her own music. Broadway casting agent Bernard Telsey said he requires his staff to watch "American Idol." "We basically root for the losers," Telsey said. "That means we can put them in a Broadway show."

WMAQ 

I guess when Simon Cowell tells them they are "too Broadway", it is not a diss but a good thing!

JENNIFER ANISTON is making her stage debut on Broadway next month. The stunning Friends star will appear in The 6th Annual 24 Hour Plays in New York on Monday Oct. 23. The event sees Jen and other star performers write, direct and act in six 10-minute plays all within, well, 24 hours! Working Playground, a non-profit arts program for NYC schoolchildren, will benefit from the gig. Past performers include stars such as Hayden Christensen, Billy Crudup, Alan Cumming, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson and Christina Ricci.

Bizarre

G-d help Broadway 

Oh Happy Days – The Fonz is to star in panto this Christmas. Actor Henry Winkler will play Captain Hook in Peter Pan at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre. David Hasselhoff was originally offered the role but pulled out to appear on Simon Cowell’s new US show America’s Got Talent. Winkler, 60, will co-star with entertainer Bobby Davro. The show marks his British stage debut. "I’m thrilled to be doing this and I’m honoured to be one of the first Americans invited to appear in panto. We don’t have panto in America and it sounds unbelievably fun," he said. "I love the Peter Pan story and I love Captain Hook. He’s a villain but, hey, he had his hand bitten off by a crocodile – you have to feel some sympathy for the guy." Winkler, whose film credits include Scream and The Waterboy, found fame as Arthur ‘Fonz’ Fonzarelli in hit show Happy Days. It ran from 1974-84 and the character became an icon – with The Fonz always sporting his trademark biker jacket and Elvis quiff. "I won’t be bringing too much of The Fonz into Captain Hook because it might get confusing for the audience – but I may keep the quiff under my wig just for old times’ sake," Winkler said. The show opens on December 8 and runs until January 14. Producer Kevin Wood said: "Henry was an obvious choice for us. He is a brilliant actor and is known for his larger than life performances as The Fonz across the globe. Parents will know and remember him fondly and a new generation of children will get to know his unique sense of humour."

Daily Snack

How cute does he look? 

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