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!
