Lewis Stadlen/Alan Ruck on Producers Tour

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 1:01am

I would like to see the Producers tour. I hear Alan Ruck is great, but how is Lewis Stadlen (sp?)? Any reviews of the tour would be great!

[Mythus]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 1:12am

I saw the tour, it was great. Alan Ruck is adorable. As for Lewis J. Stadlen...well, he's a great Max, but he's no Nathan Lane. His voice is awfully gritty, and I couldn't understand him when he sang (particularly during King of Broadway - the only thing I caught was "Who do you have to ____ to get a break in this town?"). Besides the voice, which is an aquired taste, he's great.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 8:31am

Lewis is a great comedian. But he wasn't well received on Broadway. Ruck will be the new Leo on Broadway in January. Stadlen will, I presume, stay with the tour.

I saw Stadlen in The Man Who Came to Dinner with Lane in 2000 (he played Banjo) and he was wonderful. I'm not sure Max is the role for him but I have heard some reports that have LOVED him.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 8:56am

I adored Alan Ruck, as usual, and I thought Lewis's timing was great, but yes, his voice definitely is an acquired taste. He also kept switching randomly from the "gritty" voice to a more operatic sound, and I found myself wondering which of the two he really sounded like.

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 9:08am

I've been listening to the '96 revival of Forum and was surprised at just how "gritty" his voice sounded. It is hard for me to picture him as Max Bialystock based upon that album.

On a side note, I thought it was funny that Bob Amaral was in Forum as well. Three future Max's sharing a stage.

~Jessica

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 11:13am

I am pissed that Alan is transfering to Broadway in January. The Max tour is coming to Cleveland in January.

[mallardo]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 11:28am

I saw Stadlen on Broadway and loved him as Max. His voice is tailor made for the part and his comic timing is superb.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 2:16pm

OMG! You mean that the way Lewis sounds on the Forum CD is his natural/usual singing voice? I was convinced that he was affecting it for Senex, toseem "older," "dirtier," "grittier." I have not heard him sing in anything else, I must confess I am surprised.

[Mythus]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 2:21pm

Yeah, that's how he sounds. I just learned a week ago that he was Senex on the recording, I had no idea. It was exciting.

ShbrtAlley44 - I noticed that too! I completely forgot. I thought it was weird, at the time. His operatic voice is much stronger and has more clarity than his gritty voice, but it just doesn't seem right for Max.

[tkts]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 5:24pm

I've seen four different actors play Max and I must tell you Stadlen was my LEAST favorite. His voice is a cross between Jimmy Durante and Moe Sizlack. He's hard to understand through out most of the show. One thing I have noticed, those who have not seen others in the role seem to really like Stadlen.

For the record, Max, rated from top to bottom: Nathan Lane, Bob Amaral, Jason Alexander and Stadlen

If you care: Leo, top to bottom: Matthew Broderick, Don Stephenson, Martin Short and Andy Taylor

Updated On: 9/7/04 at 05:24 PM

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 5:45pm

tkts, that just proves the old saw about art being subjective. You mentioned Jason Alexander as one of your favorite Max actors and I've heard nothing but bad things about his interpretation of Max though admittedly I didn't see him myself. Heard that he and Short were really not great in their parts...that Short was way to schticky for Leo

[TheAudrey3]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 6:35pm

I sort of agree with all the posts so far. He had an amazing voice when it was a little bit smoother, but he kept switching back and forth so much that it sort of turned me off to the part.

[tkts]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 6:41pm

SamIAm, Alexander and Short are only third of my four and I've only seen four, so bottom half if you will.

Short did his normal Jackie Jr. crap. Not needed in my opinion. I thought Alexander did a great job with Betrayed. Loved this intermission comment about him being no Nathan Lane.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 9/7/04 at 6:48pm

I like Stadlen a lot. He was really, really funny. That's what's important.