Pittsburgh CLO's The Producers - My Review
Pittsburgh CLO's The Producers - My Review
Leading Actor Joined: 7/20/09
Pittsburgh CLO's The Producers - My Review#1
Posted: 7/15/10 at 3:53pm
I saw "The Producers" in Pittsburgh last night, and I was really, really impressed. I hadn't seen the show in a long time, and I forgot just how visually stunning some of the sets are.
John Treacy Egan (Max Bialystock) was awesome! He did lots of ad-libbing and sounds a lot like Nathan Lane. My favorite ad-lib he did was during "Betrayed." When "intermission" came around, he sat there and said, "Six bucks for a Coke?! 'Yuns believe that?" He also added a small N'Sync reference during the scene where Franz threatens to shoot them. "Just say 'Bye, Bye, Bye' bullets." He threw in the signature "Bye, Bye, Bye" wave, too. The audience roared with laughter.
Jim Stanek (Leo Bloom) was very good. I was impressed. He added some things to the character that were really funny. He has a really good singing voice, as well. I thought he fit the role.
Stuart Marland (Roger DeBris) was a riot! He did some improv during "Springtime for Hitler," where he talked to the audience a little bit. I enjoyed his performance.
John Walton West (Carmen Ghia) was hilarious! He's also EXTREMELY tall. Almost too tall for the role, but he was excellent.
Ashley Spencer (Ulla) was incredible! I saw her in "Hairspray" back in 2008, but I never knew she was that talented. (Well, Amber Von Tussle isn't exactly the most demanding role on Broadway) She's an awesome singer and dancer. She was very, very sexy as Ulla.
Joey Fatone (Franz Liebkind) was actually pretty good. He kept slipping in and out of his German accent, however. His singing was great, of course. His acting wasn't bad either. I was pleasantly surprised.
Madeleine Doherty (Hold-Me, Touch-Me) was hysterical! She was the original on Broadway. Everything she did had the audience howling. She was great.
The sets and costumes were (for the most part) like the Broadway design. There were a few moments cut (including the water fountain behind Max's office). The white office in the second act was cut, as well, which was disappointing. Also, some of the set changes were a little different. For instance, the characters walked in front of a red scrim several times, while the set was being changed.
It was a very enjoyable performance.
Pittsburgh CLO's The Producers - My Review#2
Posted: 7/15/10 at 4:18pmSounds like a great show! I would give anything to see a professional production of this. I have never seen it live before, but I love the movie.
Videos
