Five performers named to "Fame" faculty

By Jay A. Fernandez

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Actors Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, Bebe Neuwirth and Debbie Allen have been tenured. The quintet has been chosen for administrative and teaching roles in the remake of "Fame."

Choreographer Kevin Tancharoen will direct the reinvention of the 1980 musical drama about a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists trying to survive four gruelling years at New York City's prestigious High School of Performing Arts.

Allison Burnett and Aline Brosh McKenna wrote the updated screenplay for the MGM/Lakeshore Entertainment production, which is scheduled for release September 25.

"This picture is a celebration, a testament to people pursuing their dreams, so we set out to find talented actors who could both convincingly instruct onscreen and also inspire audiences," MGM Worldwide Motion Picture Group chairman Mary Parent said.

All five actors have noteworthy performing arts backgrounds. Mullally, who will play a voice instructor, graduated from the School of American Ballet; Grammer, who will play an orchestra conductor, attended Juilliard; Dutton, who will play an acting teacher, went to the Yale School of Drama; and Neuwirth, who will play a dance teacher, has won two Tonys.

Actress and choreographer Allen, who played dance teacher Lydia Grant in the original film and won a Golden Globe for her role in the spinoff television series, will appear in the updated version as Principal Simms.

The student cast includes Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton and Kay Panabaker.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter