Comments on The Producers

I'm curious what people think of The Producers? I saw it in Toronto. Now I realize that it's not fair since I'm a HUGE Mamma Mia fan (i.e. nothing can compare). I enjoyed it and the acting was great, but my one negative comment is that I didn't walk out singing the songs (and probably won't' buy the cd). Just curious on others thoughts. (I heard that it sold out and made tons of $$$ when Mathew Broderick and Nathane Lane returned to NY).

You're just much more in tune with the feel good style of Mamma Mia. I'd just chalk it up to "different strokes for different folks". Both Mamma Mia and The Producers are both popularly successful and highly enjoyable. However, The Producers has the wide critical acclaim to back up it's success. As they sing in The Producers, it's about, "Tony, Tony, Tony".

My experience has been completely the opposite of yours. I have seen Mamma Mia, happily tapped my feet, and never have had any interest in returning again.

While The Producers has been a long term semi-obsession for me. I've seen it 9 times in New York, Los Angeles, and on Tour. The Producers just lifts my spirits and makes me laugh!

Since you're a fan of Mamma Mia, I hope you have the chance to see Hairspray. You'll most likely enjoy it also.

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Updated On: 1/8/04 at 09:42 AM

I like both shows but the Producers is in a class by itself.
Why? GARY BEACH.
BEACH- Makes the show and the grannies.
I love it. I have only seen it once but want to return asap.

Theatre is too subjective for comparisons like this. Namo is essentially right in his post, the scale isn't just off... it's incalculable.

I saw the original cast of the Producers in NYC and I really belive that they were an excellent, talented group of people. I just have trouble with the hype that the show itself has received. It is not the best show I have ever seen BY FAR. It is a good show. Yes, I would see it again, but I would not go out of my way.

I think the show has proven itself as a great vehicle for two stars, and little more than a one time curiosity without.

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I tend to think that scores that thrive on the sort of emotional melodramas that 'Les Mis' and 'Rent' thrive on are the scores people like to listen to the most at home as they can relate those scores to their lives more. Something like 'The Producers' which only services a light story and doesn't have that sort of potential for personal resonance, isn't going to generate the need for constant listens.

It's my theory, anyway.

Honestly, "The Producers" score did not particularly turn me on either. It's a comical show, but I think if I was middle-aged (and mean that with all respect) I would have liked it a lot more. I personally think it appeals to an older audience. Although, I do love Nathan Lane, in general. He is an almond joy. Hear that, Mr. Lane?

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Updated On: 1/7/04 at 12:47 PM

I think I'd have to choose The Producers over Mamma Mia...

But actually, the first time I did see The Producers I really didn't see what the big deal was (this was with Nathan and Matthew). I'm not usually into shows that are all about hype....in fact, that's enough to turn me off to a show. But I went to see The Producers anyway. The second time it started to grow on me and I got the CD. I guess it just all depends on your taste.
My favorite show ever has to be The Last 5 Years, which was at a tiny theater and when I saw it soon after it started, the audience was nowhere near full. The hype was nonexistent. In fact I don't remember it ever being full until maybe the last few times I saw it and of course on the last day. And the show seems to be bigger now that it's closed than when it was open.

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If given a choice, I'd pick Mamma Mia.

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Okay guys my thing is that when I bought the Mamma Mia CD, it is like the worst cast album I own. The orchestrations are aweful with those dreaded synthesizers(sp?) and those London accents are just annoying. Now the Producers CD is a good CD with great orchestrations and performances and all that crap, but the tunes just don't make you want to hit the replay button. There's my two cents for ya.

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I personally think that the Mamma Mia CD is an 'acquired taste.' Many people either love it or loathe it.

I'm personally in the middle. I'm not a big fan of the voices, but I still listen to the recording often. My friend HATES it though...I guess she's just so stuck on the Broadway cast.

It's a shame they never did an OBC recording. I blame Louise for not demanding one!

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Okay guys, first of all to JohnPopa: I guess you got a good laugh out of your cleverness on your analysis of my post, actually the worst cast album in my collection is Titanic.

As for Mister Matt: when I bought the CD, I thought that it was a OBC because DECCA likes to trick people by putting on the cover "A Decca [Broadway] Original Cast Album". After hearing the accents, I realised it was the London cast. I didn't do my homework to find out if there was even an OBC, I just assumed so. Now I know better. Also about the orchestrations: I didn't buy the CD to hear ABBA's interpretation of ABBA songs, I wanted to hear a theatrical interpretation of ABBA's songs, sort of like what Moulin Rouge did with the songs they picked, but I guess that was a stupid idea on my behalf.

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Updated On: 1/7/04 at 07:21 PM

I didn't buy the CD to hear ABBA's interpretation of ABBA songs, I wanted to hear a theatrical interpretation of ABBA's songs, sort of like what Moulin Rouge did with the songs they picked, but I guess that was a stupid idea on my behalf.

But the only reason the show exists and is popular is because it uses ABBA music. If you didn't use synthesizers, etc and opted for a traditional Broadway orchestra (6 strings, 5 reeds, a few horns and trumpets) it would not only sound weird, it wouldn't really be ABBA. What exactly is your idea of a "theatrical interpretation of ABBA's songs"?

Updated On: 1/7/04 at 08:15 PM