Debbie Allen returns in ‘Fame’

Movie: "Fame"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Asher Book, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Kherington Payne, Anna Maria Perez de Taglel, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez

Director: Kevin Tancharoen

The story: This "reinvention" of the 1980 fave follows a diverse group of dancers, singers, actors and artists during their four years at New York's High School for the Performing Arts, where they battle self-doubt and competition from classmates to discover their passions -- artistic and personal.

The buzz: Remember her name? Original cast member Debbie Allen (who also starred in, and directed several episodes of the 1982-87 "Fame" TV series) returns -- this time as the school's principal -- while veterans Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth portray faculty members. Some of them may even show up at tonight's scheduled red-carpet screening at Paris Las Vegas' Theatre des Arts.