Fans of Cheers, rejoice – for after many years apart, Dr. Frasier Crane and his ex-wife, Lilith, are about to be reunited.
Sadly, though, it’s got nothing to do with Cheers, or its spin-off, Frasier. Instead, Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth, the actors who brought Frasier and Lilith to life, have signed on to co-star in the upcoming remake of Fame.
Grammer, Neuwirth, Charles S. Dutton, Megan Mullally and Debbie Allen will all play teachers and administrators in the new version of Alan Parker’s 1980 musical, which followed the fortunes of a group of kids trying to get through and get ahead at the prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts.
Grammer will play an orchestra conductor. Neuwirth, who can dance up a storm in real life, will bring those twinkling toes to the role of a dance instructor. Dutton’s character is an acting instructor, while Mullally, aptly for a woman who contorted her voice for eight seasons to play Will & Grace’s Karen Walker, will play a voice coach.
And, most satisfying of all, is Allen’s promotion from dance teacher in the original to Principal Simms, almost thirty years on.
The more mature actors join the already cast pupils, who include Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton and Kay Panabaker.
Choreographer Kevin Tancharoen will direct the movie for MGM and Lakeshore Entertainment, who have already stipulated a release date of September 25.