Mumbai: Lakeshore Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Pictures have revealed the teaching staff to star in Fame, a reinvention of the Oscar-winning film to be directed by Kevin Tancharoen.
 
Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, Bebe Neuwirth and Debbie Allen will appear as instructors and supervisors at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. The joint announcement was made by Lakeshore Entertainment chairman & CEO Tom Rosenberg and MGM Worldwide Motion Picture Group chairman Mary Parent.
 
Inspired by the 1980 film, Fame follows a group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years from auditions to graduation. "This dynamic group of actors all have esteemed backgrounds in the performing arts; they will give FAME the authenticity and energy it deserves," commented Rosenberg.
 
Songstress and School of American Ballet alum Megan Mullally, is set to play voice instructor Fran Rowan; Kelsey Grammer, who attended Juilliard, will play orchestra maestro Joel Cranston; Yale School of Drama graduate Charles S. Dutton, will play acting teacher Alvin Dowd; Bebe Neuwirth a two-time Tony Award winner for her work on Broadway will play ballerina-turned dance maven Lynn Kraft; and overseeing them all will be Fame  veteran Debbie Allen as Principal Simms.
 
Parent observed, "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 on screen and also inspire audiences." Vice President of production Becky Sloviter is overseeing the film for MGM. Fame opens in theaters on 25 September, 2009.