New York, NY — John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions announced today that “Dancing with the Stars” finalist Mario Lopez will make his Broadway debut joining the cast of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical A Chorus Line beginning Tuesday, April 15, 2008, for a five month engagement through Sunday, September 7, 2008.  Mr. Lopez will play Zach, the demanding director who is casting the chorus roles for a new Broadway musical.  Now in its second year on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W 45th St), the new, critically acclaimed production of A Chorus Line opened October 5, 2006 and continues to be a singular sensation at the box office having recouped the show’s entire $8 million investment in 157 performances (19 weeks). 

Actor, producer and dancer, Mario Lopez, at the age of 16, became internationally known as high school jock A. C. Slater on the hit NBC comedy series “Saved by the Bell” which ran from 1989 through 1994.  He currently can be seen as host of MTV’s “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew,” and he recently starred on ABC’s hit reality series “Dancing with the Stars” where in the third season he finished second.  He produced and starred in the feature film Outta Time.  Other film credits include King Rikki, Colors, Depraved, and Eastside.  Mr. Lopez’s other television work includes roles on “Pacific Blue,” “Nip/Tuck,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “George Lopez,” “Mind of Mencia,” “Name Your Adventure,” “Popular,” “The Golden Girls,” and “Kids Incorporated.” TV Films include “Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story,” “Husband for Hire,” and “Holiday in Handcuffs.”

A Chorus Line is directed by its original Tony Award winning co-choreographer Bob Avian, conceived and originally choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett, with a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, with the original choreography re-staged by Baayork Lee.  A Chorus Line is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions.  Masterworks Broadway’s 2006 Broadway cast recording of A Chorus Line is available in stores nationwide.

The new production features scenery by Robin Wagner, costumes by Theoni V.Aldredge, lighting by Tharon Musser adapted by Natasha Katz and sound by Acme Sound Partners.  Musical direction and supervision is by Patrick Vaccariello, orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick, Billy Byers and Hershey Kay and vocal arrangements are by Don Pippin.

A Chorus Linewill launch a National tour at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts – Buell Theatre May 6-17, 2008.  Following its premiere in Denver, the National tour will settle in for a seven-week engagement at The Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, May 21-July 6, 2008.  Plans are underway for the show to visit these cities in the 2008-2009 season: Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa; Seattle; Toronto and Washington, DC.

For Tickets for A Chorus Line visit Telecharge.com (212-239-6200) or the Schoenfeld Theatre box office.  Performances are Tuesday at 7:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm.   Tickets range from $66.50 to $111.50.  Premium seating is available.  Please note: Mario Lopez will be on hiatus from A Chorus Line from Sunday, May 11, 2008 through Tuesday, June 3, 2008.