Nathan Lane Talks THE NANCE on PBS; Wants MODERN FAMILY Spin-Off Called A DASH OF PEPPER

As part of this year's TCA Press Tour, Deadline reports that Nathan Lane talked about his portrayal of 'Chauncey Miles' in Douglas Carter Beane's play THE NANCE, which will air this fall on PBS.

THE NANCE stars Lane as a gay headliner who faces a changing world and his own self-loathing during the fading twilight of burlesque in 1930s New York. The play received five Tony Award nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Lane.

In a Q&A session, Lane commented on whether only gay actors should play gay characters, saying: "No. We just had The Normal Heart [with] Mark Ruffalo -- fantastic job. ... I certainly don't think that. That way madness lies. Only gay actors can play gay parts and straight actors can play straight -- then I wouldn't have played Nathan Detroit -- one of my great joys of my life -- or Max Bialystock."

Lane also pitched the idea of a spinoff based on his recurring, gay character 'Pepper Saltzman' in ABC's MODERN FAMILY. It would be called A DASH OF PEPPER (of course!). Would you watch a series based on the flamboyant event planner?

The actor will be reunited with The Producers co-star Matthew Broderick in IT'S ONLY A PLAY on Broadway this fall. Among his past Broadway credits are The Addams Family, Waiting For Godot, The Odd Couple, The Play What I Wrote, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Guys and Dolls, Present Laughter and more.

Live from Lincoln Center's 40th Anniversary Season will air THE NANCE on PBS on Friday, October 10, 2014 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: ABC/Peter "Hopper" Stone