Mel Brooks electrifies his latest creation, a musical rendition of his 1974 film classic Young Frankenstein (That's FRON-kehn-shteen) for the Broadway stage.

Happy Birthday to actress/singer Danielle Brisebois (1969), "1408" star John Cusack (1966), Denver Broncos star John Elway (1960), "Star Trek: First Contact" Borg Queen Alice Krige (1954), "About Schmidt" actress Kathy Bates (1948), late "SNL" alum Gilda Radner (1946; d. 1989), British actor John Inman (1935), "The Karate Kid" star Noriyuki "Pat" Morita (1932; d. 2005), "The Producers" creator/actor/director/producer Mel Brooks (1926), and theater composer Richard Rodgers (1902; d. 1979).

The Broadway version of The Producers has come to an end after more than 2,500 performances at the St. James Theatre in New York. The production has played across the world and won twelve Tony awards and tells the story of two crooked producers who set up a flop Broadway show about Adolf Hitler.

Actor/singer David Hasselhoff is getting serious about plans to stage a one-man show in Las Vegas; he has hired one of Sin City's top players to find him a venue. Businessman Michael Politz confirms the Baywatch creator has personally called on his services to help him "explore the possibilities" of fronting his own variety show once his stint as a gay director in the Las Vegas production of The Producers is over.

Happy Birthday to "The Wedding Crashers" actress Isla Fisher (1976), "Star Wars" saga character actor Warwick Davis (1970), "ER" star Maura Tierney (1965), actor/director Keith Gordon (1961), Sonic Youth co-founder Lee Ranaldo (1956), "The Producers" star Nathan Lane (1956), TV actress/Old Navy spokeswoman Morgan Fairchild (1950), "undefeated" NFL quarterback Bob Griese (1945), Emmy-winning actress Blythe Danner (1943), NFL quarterback Fran Tarkenton (1940), television actor Victor Buono (1938; d. 1982), Rat-Packer Joey Bishop (1918), Americana artist Norman Rockwell (1894; d. 1978), and German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809; d. 1847).

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick have been approached to reprise their roles in The Producers on Broadway before the curtain comes down on the production. According to the New York Post, the two actors, who recreated their roles for the movie adaptation of the Mel Brooks comedy musical, are in negotiations for a swansong performance this summer.

The Producers co-stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane have denied reports they are refusing to work together again, insisting they are still "the best of friends."

Happy Birthday to actress/singer Danielle Brisebois (1969), "The Ice Harvest" star John Cusack (1966), Denver Broncos star John Elway (1960), "Star Trek: First Contact" Borg Queen Alice Krige (1954), "About Schmidt" actress Kathy Bates (1948), late "SNL" alum Gilda Radner (1946; d. 1989), British actor John Inman (1935), "The Karate Kid" star Noriyuki "Pat" Morita (1932; d. 2005), "The Producers" creator/actor/director/producer Mel Brooks (1926), and theater composer Richard Rodgers (1902; d. 1979).

In movie stores this week, or perhaps in your Netflix queue, is The Ringer starring Johnny Knoxville. The Jackass stars as Steve Barker, a man who fakes a mental disability in order to win a cash prize at the Special Olympics. Although his teammates are aware of his scheme and can outdo him athletically, they need Barker to help defeat Jimmy, the arrogant reigning champion of the games. Also on DVD: The Producers, When A Stranger Calls, Duma and Something New.