Is there that much interest in Nathan / Matthew...

...or are the 30000 articles I see about it on the main page of this site just some really good PR work? It's a brilliant stunt if you ask me to get them sold out again for 3 months, and if this press continues for them to remain atop another "bubble" probably for the rest of the year.

What do you think?

KB

Sure it will sell the show for 3 months, I'm sure there are plenty of people who want to see them.

But it also says 'the show is more worth it when there are famous people in it' and that doesn't bode well for the sales in the future if they dont' have names to put in.

Are 3 good months worth the next six months with a potentially bigger drop-off, unless they bring in more names which becomes a crap shoot as to who's appropriate/available/drawing ...

of course there is that much interest.............

seeing the original stars return to a Broadway phenomenon? of course, there is great interest and excitement and when tickets finally go onsale for their return engagement, the box office will zoom.

one wonders, couldn't the producers of THE PRODUCERS simply watch the show and realize it is, to be at its best, a "star driven" show?

it IS important who are playing Max and Leo... just as it is important who is playing Dolly or Mama Rose etc.

it is a great theatrical tradition...the great star or stars who keep packin em in night after night...

how wonderful that this excitement can be generated by two genuine BROADWAY stars as opposed to only movie or television stars...

their return is most welcome and I would hope this would keep the producers of the PRODUCERS more inclined to keep stars shining in the lead roles on Broadway.

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I can understand producers not wanting to view a work as 'star-driven.' Keeping Names on the Marquee is a much bigger pain than being able to pull lesser-knowns (who are probably of equal talent) from the audition pool.

Yes, I find it hard to imagine this was an "accident" too.

I'm bemused by all this. Maybe because I've seen Nathan & Matthew twice and the following casts twice more I can afford to feel sated. If the show can sell out with Nathan & Matthew (or as my friend Barry mischeviously refers to them: "Betty & June") more power to them. But once they leave - and leave they will- the producers are back to the same "problem". What to do to create hysterical excitement about the show again? I feel sorry for the guys that wind up being Nathan & Matthews replacements - again. No matter how good they are, It won't be judged good ENOUGH.

Maybe the problem is that the without "STARS" (or deft comics of genius) the weaknesses in the show become more appearant? Now, I love THE PRODUCERS - It's a marvelously entertaining show. But the more I've seen it the more I'm convinced it just misses being classic. The reason, IMHO, is that it's a terrific story with great gags supported by a score that (to me at least) sounds weaker every time. It's not a BAD score and certainly adequate - but with the exception of ("Till Him") it isn't nearly as good or tuneful or as FUNNY as it should have been. I can't help thinking what it would have been like if Jerry Herman would have done it.

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I saw the show a month or so ago in LA with Martin Short and Jason Alexander. I thought it was wonderfully entertaining but because of the performances of the main actors, not because of the show itself. The show, especially music-wise, is GOOD. The actors are what make it GREAT. Putting Nathan and Matthew back into their roles that made the show a hit is a treat for play-goers and a smart move by the producers!

there sure is a lot of interest in nathan and matthew returning to the producers....
ever since it was announced they were in talks to come back it's been in the news. after it was first in the papers, i saw another article on how many people turned up to try to buy tickets at the st james (see link below)
i saw them in the show a bunch of times and i still want to get tickets for when they return. and i know dozens of people who either want to see it again or for the first time. the people who want to see it again know how great the pair is and the first timers usually missed it the first time and see this as a lucky second chance.
anyway, i think the article shows that there IS interest to see nathan and matthew. the picture reminds me of a picture that was published after the show opened, when people lined up down the street to try to buy tickets and another box office was opened to handle the sales.
ny post article

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Updated On: 8/13/03 at 03:14 AM