The Teachers are Set to Impress in MGM and Lakeshore's FAME

The Teachers are Set to Impress in MGM and Lakeshore's FAME

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakeshore Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Pictures have revealed the teaching staff for FAME, a reinvention of the Oscar(R)-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 prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts. The joint announcement was made today by producer Tom Rosenberg, chairman & CEO of Lakeshore Entertainment and Mary Parent, chairman, MGM Worldwide Motion Picture Group.

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(R) 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.

MGM chairman Mary 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 September 25th, 2009.

Megan Mullally is represented by Gersh, manager Dannielle Thomas at Untitled Entertainment and attorney Jamie Mandelbaum at Jackoway, Tyerman, Wertheimer, Austen, Mandelbaum, Morris & Klein.

Kelsey Grammer is represented by CAA.

Charles S. Dutton is represented by Paradigm, Manager Sherry Marsh, Marsh Entertainment.

   Bebe Neuwirth is represented by ICM.    Debbie Allen is represented by Paradigm.    About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:  

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Lakeshore Entertainment:

Lakeshore is currently in pre-production on "FAME," the dynamic reinvention of the Oscar(R)-winning film and globally successful TV series. In 2009, Lakeshore will release a slate of films that include the romantic comedy "The Ugly Truth" starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, directed by Robert Luketic; "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," the third installment of the "Underworld" franchise; "Game," a dystopian action thriller starring Gerard Butler; and "Crank 2: High Voltage" from the directing team of Neveldine and Taylor, with Jason Statham reprising his role as Chev Chelios.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

CONTACT: Grey Munford, Director/Corporate Communications of
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, +1-310-586-8227, gmunford@mgm.com

Web Site: http://www.mgm.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment