Miscast of the Week

You're producing a show. It's called Stories Left To Tell. It was written by your late husband who committed suicide by jumping off the Staten Island Ferry. You are given the choice of who to cast in this touching memorial. You are presented with two actors. The first is Bruce Vilanch, former Hairspray actor and celebrated 'Hollywood Square'. The second is Kathleen Chalfant, renowned stage and screen actress. Who do you pick? Answer: Both of them, of course.

It was just announced that Mr. Vilanch will take over the 'guest star' role in the Spalding Gray piece. He replaces former SNL cast member, Rachel Dratch. Previous guests have included Josh Lucas, Richard Kind, Fisher Stevens and Estelle Parsons. Now it could just be me, but isn't this a bit like the song "One of these things is not like the other one, one of these things does not belong." I certainly won't presume to know what Mr. Gray would think about this, but my guess is Bruce Vilanch would not have been at the top of Spalding's list of potential re-presenters of his work. Who is next: Dom DeLuise?