Rialto Chatter: Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Take on 'Leo Bloom' in Hollywood Bowl's THE PRODUCERS?

Speculation is running rampant in California with an announcement expected shortly for the casting of the Hollywood Bowl's summer musical - THE PRODUCERS. Earlier this week, BWW reported that Richard Kind revealed on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show that he was on board for the project.  Now, our LA sources are buzzing that Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson might play 'Leo Bloom' after recently tweeting: "I wanna be a producer". No official casting announcement has been made.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Broadway credits include ON THE TOWN and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Other stage credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Shakespeare in the Park and HAIR at Encores! In addition to 'Modern Family,' his television credits include 'The Class' and 'Ugly Betty.'

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music.

THE PRODUCERS originally opened on April 19, 2001 and was the recipient of the most Tony Awards in theater history (with 12 wins), and is based on Brooks' Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, The Producers is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock, and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their 'sure-fire' theatrical fiasco?...None other than the musical Springtime for Hitler."

The musical, which originally starred Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick on Broadway, featured a Tony Award-winning book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Tony Award-winning music and lyrics by Brooks, and Tony Award-winning direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.