In the final episode of the first season of Friends, Ross has to go to China, and Joey tells him to go to China and eat Chinese food. Chandler then quips, “'Course in China, they just call it food.” That kind of sums up how I feel about Chicago stunt-casting. It's just “casting” now because it's the norm, not the exception. (Of course, that doesn't stop me from commenting on it.)

But, amazingly, the latest Chicago casting news is actually pretty good. At least it's not really bad, and that's about as much as I can ask. Former Sopranos stars Aida Turturro and Vincent Pastore will be taking over the roles of Matron “Mama” Morton and Amos Hart in the Broadway production beginning November 13.

From a strict Broadway perspective, the casting is a little flawed. Aida Turturro has some stage chops — in 1992, she performed on Broadway in A Streetcar Named Desire — but she's never had a singing/dancing role. And Vincent Pastore has not been on stage since his early community theater days.

But from a character perspective, this makes more sense. Janice Soprano as Mama Morton works. … continue reading

Last week, E! Online's Reel Girl posted her "Incomplete Top 10: Great Cameos." The list ranges from obvious (Marshall McLuhan in Annie Hall) to random (this must be the only best list on which Dumb and Dumber appears, courtesy of Cam Neely) to wrong (Meryl Streep, yes, but in Stuck on You? No).

While I understand Reel Girl's "good lighting" theory (a well-done cameo makes everyone look better), I prefer scene-stealers to film-stealers, special moments of brilliance rather than lone moments of brilliance; even Streep doesn't make a lame comedy worth my time. Also, while blink-and-you-miss-it cameos are fun (see Cate Blanchett in Hot Fuzz or Julie Delpy in But I'm a Cheerleader), they don't require much, so they're not included.

My favorite bit parts fall into a few categories, and I'm sticking with the ladies exclusively. I'm also sticking to film — sifting through all of the Simpsons and Will & Grace cameos is daunting enough; add The Muppet Show and it's nigh impossible. Since the following is therefore an unscientific bunch of personal observations, discuss away!

The Hat-Tip Cameo: Chita Rivera, Chicago

Hollywood producers are far too obsessed with remakes, but if they must go there, I appreciate it when they doff their proverbial caps to original stars. Respect wins points every time, and as the creator of Velma Kelly on Broadway, Rivera deserves every ounce of respect she gets and then some. Her cameo as cell block diva Nickie in the 2002 movie adaptation is too brief, but any more would be unfair to successor Catherine Zeta-Jones — can't have the new star too far in the shadow of her elder. … continue reading

My brother just sent me an email with the subject line "Kill me please." The body contained the news that Tori Spelling and her husband, Dean What's-his-name, are in talks to become the next wife/husband team starring in Chicago on Broadway. (The others were Amy Spanger/Michael C. Hall and Lisa Rinna/Harry Hamlin.)

After my initial wave of nausea subsided, I decided that I was not going to be upset at this latest bit of stunt casting. It's time to accept that Chicago has been reduced to regional dinner theater. I've found that the most cathartic funerals usually contain both weeping and celebration. I've already wept, so now it's time to celebrate. Rather than celebrate Chicago or the theater, I'm going to take a moment to reminisce about the phases of Tori Spelling's career that have brought me joy rather than pain. I'm skeptical about the musical theater phase — and I've chosen to ignore the reality show phase — but she has brought me discrete moments of happiness over the years.

1. The Child Actor phase: Jamie (Red Feather), Troop Beverly Hills … continue reading

When I read the article announcing that Kelly Osbourne would be taking over the role of Matron "Mama" Morton in the West End production of Chicago, I rested my head on my desk and wept quietly.

Actually, first I read the name as Kelly Clarkson (and have not been able to get that out of my head!), reread the article and thought, "Argh! I hate stunt casting!"

Now, I know the arguments in favor of stunt casting. It increases box office and exposes more people to theater (or theatre, in the West End). The standards for musicals are lower in London than in New York (although the standards for plays are higher), and this particular production is notorious for its stunt casting. Ashlee Simpson has already played Roxie! So should I really be upset that a reality show star with little or no training is taking over a great role for which she's 20 years too young? … continue reading