When stunt casting goes bad....

This summer's production of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl is taking stunt casting to a whole new level, as it may be the first show in recent memory to hire a stunt director. The press release touted Neil Patrick Harris, who played Mark on Broadway, to make his musical directorial debut.

I have no problem with this decision at all. Harris is a smart guy, passionate about the show, and has directing experience from the TV world, so staging this production doesn't seem like a stretch.

However, like many fans, I hopped aboard the "WTF Express" when it was announced that High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens would be playing the role of Mimi. You know you have made a questionable decision when you are already on the defensive in the press release, but here is the official statement:

Harris says "She seems really committed to honoring the somewhat iconic role of Mimi".

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, eh? He might as well have said "Bless her heart, the poor untalented thing. She's trying hard, but holy Christ, this is gonna suuuuuuuuck".

As to make it worse, Wayne Brady has been cast has playing Tom Collins. Yes, THAT Wayne Brady. The one hosting "Let's Make a Deal" right now. The one who has made a career being the likable improv comic. The guy who is about 15 years too old, and way too milquetoast to play this role.

What's next?? RuPaul as Angel?? Snookie as Maureen???

The whole thing sounds like it could be a delicious trainwreck....and I think I need to make the trip to LA to see it.

Now it's time to play my new favorite party game... it's called "IF I WERE MICHAEL RIEDEL".

This is where we guess how he will bury The Addams Family in his next column. Here is another prediction for next week.

"The Broadway community was paralyzed with fear after a Car Bomb was found in Times Square Saturday. Fire trucks and bomb experts were sent to the seen after smoke was billowing from an abandoned Nissan on 45th street. As it turns out, it was just the stench of The Addams Family, which continues to bomb one block away at the Lunt-Fontainne Theater"