Theater News

Kirstie Alley, Ralph Macchio, Wendy Williams, et al. Set for Season 12 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars

Broadway veteran Ralph Macchio and Golden Globe Award winner Kirstie Alley will be two of the contestants on the upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke will host the show, which is scheduled to begin its 12th season on March 21.

In addition to Macchio, seen on Broadway in Cuba and His Teddy Bear and Alley, perhaps best known for her work on Cheers, the contestants will also include talk-show host Wendy Williams; radio host Mike Catherwood, actress Chelsea Kane, model and reality TV personality Kendra Wilkinson; hall of fame boxer Sugar Ray Leonard; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward; professional wrestler Chris Jericho; and rap artist Romeo, who was scheduled to be part of the show’s second season in 2005, but dropped out because of an injury and was replaced by his father, the rapper Master P.

On the show, the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. The celebrities’ dancing partners will be announced shortly.