Jiminy Glick Sticks It to Schwimmer, Riedel, Noth and More in Broadway's Fame Becomes Me

By Ernio Hernandez
08 Aug 2006

Martin Short as Jiminy Glick in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
Martin Short as Jiminy Glick in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
Photo by Paul Kolnik

David Schwimmer, Dennis Miller, Michael Riedel, Gene Simmons, Bob Costas, Chris Noth and Kevin Nealon have been among audience members plucked from the crowd at the Jacobs Theatre to endure a hot-seat interview by Jiminy Glick in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me on Broadway.

During the comedian's current Broadway turn, Short chooses someone in attendance to be grilled by his smarmy, corpulent, clueless TV host alter ego. On some evenings, the interviewee is an average theatregoer, but on occasion, the audience is given a treat.

Production spokespersons confirmed the aforementioned names, but a recent Variety article mentions Short's friends Tom Hanks, Bette Midler and Tina Fey are among celebrities expected to attend future performances and possibly be dragged on stage.

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Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me — which will open on Broadway Aug. 17 — also stars Brooks Ashmanskas (Little Me), Mary Birdsong ("Reno 911"), Capathia Jenkins (Caroline, or Change) and Nicole Parker ("Mad TV") in what is billed as "an improbable musical version of [Short's] life story," according to press materials.

The production features music by Shaiman, lyrics by Wittman and Shaiman and direction by Wittman. Shaiman will also be seen onstage. Charlie Alterman is the Musical Director. Wittman and Shaiman's Fame Becomes Me score includes such tunes as "Stepbrother de Jesus," "12 Step Pappy" and "Sniff, Sniff."

Alan Zweibel recently joined the creative team, providing "additional material."

The book for the show was penned by Short and Daniel Goldfarb. Christopher Gatelli will choreograph. The creative team will also include Scott Pask (set design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), lighting designer Chris Lee and sound design by Peter Hylenski. Orchestrations are provided by Larry Blank.

Short won the Tony Award for his Broadway turn in Little Me and was also nominated for The Goodbye Girl. Short also co-starred with Jason Alexander in the Los Angeles staging of The Producers for an eight-month run at the Pantages Theatre.