Brad Oscar is shown as Max Bialystock in Broadway's "The Producers."
His name recognition won't trump "Hasselhoff" on a marquee, but Brad Oscar will bring experience to the lead role of "The Producers" at Paris Las Vegas next month.
In other Strip entertainment news, producers of "Mamma Mia!" announced the Mandalay Bay production will close in "late summer" of 2008, and Celine Dion's "A New Day" will end its run at Caesars Palace on Dec. 15.
Advertisement
Oscar, 42, will reprise his Broadway role of Max Bialystock, the conniving producer who pulls a young accountant into a scheme to stage a guaranteed flop, then pocket investors' money.
Nathan Lane first played the role on Broadway in 2001, and Oscar was his understudy while portraying Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind, a performance that earned him a Tony nomination.
When Lane left the show after a year, Oscar moved into the lead role and played Bialystock on Broadway and in London, chalking up more than 1,100 performances over a three-year period.
"He's so talented and so charming," Mel Brooks said in November, before Oscar's contract was confirmed. "When Las Vegas sees Brad Oscar, that's going to be a good wedding."
The Paris Las Vegas production of the Brooks-authored musical opens Jan. 31. So far, the biggest name value comes from David Hasselhoff, contracted for the comedic supporting role of flamboyant director Roger DeBris.
Producers have yet to announce the casting of accountant Leo Bloom and sexy secretary Ulla, played by Matthew Broderick and Uma Thurman in the 2005 movie adaptation. Those names could be made public next week.
"Mamma Mia!," which opened in February 2003, expects to log more than 2,300 performances by the time it closes.
Tickets for Dion's final run of shows from August through December go on sale March 1. The show won't disappear without a permanent record. From Jan. 17-21, a film crew will shoot in high-definition for a TV special and DVD.
