Could Lisa Kudrow be making a ‘Comeback’ on Broadway?

July 24, 2020

Lisa Kudrow could come to Broadway — as her character on HBO’s “The Comeback,” Valerie Cherish.

Sources told Page Six that Kudrow is being wooed to the stage by various shows after she said in a recent interview that if cult hit “The Comeback” came back for a third season, she envisioned Val — a formerly famous sitcom star trying to revive her career — taking on a Broadway role.

A source told Page Six that after Kudrow’s comments, “the idea has sparked what’s being described as a possible ‘bidding war’ between the producers of ‘Chicago’ — known for ‘stunt casting’ the role of Roxie Hart with everyone from Lisa Rinna to Melanie Griffith — and ‘Mean Girls,’ which has an age-appropriate role originated in the film by Tina Fey and on Broadway by Tony nominee Kerry Butler.”

The theater pro breathlessly continued, “The idea apparently is to get Cherish (played by Kudrow) to actually do eight-[performances]-a-week as, well, Valerie Cherish. It would be the character playing the character.”

A Broadway casting director said of the concept: “It’s totally meta and completely insane.” Another insider jokingly added, “Less qualified and, frankly, less famous TV stars than Valerie Cherish have sold plenty of tickets over the years, so why not?”

But producers for “Chicago” shut down any “bidding war” buzz, but seemed open to the Val idea.

“The producers of ‘Chicago’ confirmed the production is NOT currently in talks with Ms. Kudrow to star in the show. But, as for Valerie Cherish making her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart, note to self: We definitely ‘need to see that!’ ” the show said in a statement when we reached out, quoting Val’s catchphrase. “Mean Girls” also denied it’s in talks with Kudrow, and her rep did not respond. Plus, of course, theaters would have to open again first.

Kudrow was interviewed as part of a “Comeback” reunion on Seth Rudetsky’s “Stars in the House” show, which benefits the Actors Fund.

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