It may seem like a big leap: hoofing it on campy "Dancing with the Stars" to appearing in a Tonys-sweeping classic on venerable Broadway, but Mario Lopez just stepped into an awards-worthy role in the revival of "A Chorus Line" at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

Portraying Zach — the tough director/choreographer who auditions dancers for a new show — earned a Tony nomination for the originator of the role, Robert LuPone, who ended up losing the award for best featured (that is, supporting) actor in a musical to costar Sammy Williams as Paul. But, hey, Mario came in second to Emmitt Smith on "Dancing with the Stars" and seemed perfectly content just to make the top runoff.

But, alas, he can't make the Tonys runoff this time. Technically, actors in revivals are eligible to compete against stars of new shows in the Tonys' main acting categories, but here's the glitch: only if they launch the role in the revived production. Michael Berresse did that when "A Chorus Line" was restaged in 2006; Lopez takes over for him.

Mario dances at the beginning and end of "A Chorus Line" and doesn't sing a solo, notes the New York Daily News. He confessed to the paper: "I can carry a tune, but that's it!"

Top photo: Lopez performs in "A Chorus Line." Below, at left: Lopez hoofs it on "Dancing with the Stars." (Photos courtesy of Schoenfeld Theater and "Dancing with the Stars")