The Producers...how much longer?

[RYANWOODS]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:52am

Down in the lower parts for Capacity this week again...how much longer do you think the show has left on Broadway?

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:08am

I only hope it lasts for at least 4 more weeks, so I can finally see it!

[leefowler]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:52am

Keep in mind that when there are no stars in it, it's a fairly inexpensive show to run, with a smallish cast. Even now it's not losing money. It's recouped several times, so even if it does actually start losing money, it can look forward to weeks when it'll earn it back.

The situation is much different for shows that are still struggling to earn back their initial investment. They're dealing with an investment that will never be earned back, and a puddle of red ink that grows bigger with every bad week.

By the way, did DRS earn back its investment?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 8:55am

i can't imagine that it did... shame!!!!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 9:18am

ANOTHER one of these threads?! *rolls eyes*

Anyway... THE PRODUCERS will be around for a long time. leefowler and tobiasragg said it best.

Updated On: 8/22/06 at 09:18 AM

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:05pm

You have to look at the gross for the long haul and for the most recent month or two (not just for a week). There have been a number of posts about shows and whether they might close because of a single week capacity number.

I believe that the show will probably run through the balance of the year and if Brooks has his way and the numbers support the decision, it will run until YF comes to NY. If they snag a short run name for the holidays, it will probably regain some life. Beach is leaving to go into Les Mis, so we'll see where things go with recasting.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:10pm

I really don't believe THE PRODUCERS will be able to run until YF is ready to come in, unless YF is ready for next season. The show has turned a fantastic profit, but attendence is hovering consistantly in the very low 60s, right on the border of the musical's break even point. The Autumn doldrums could show the numbers sliding further. If Brooks is content spending his profit at keeping the show running at a loss, than of course it can run another couple of years. I don't think that is going to happen though. I personally think THE PRODUCERS will close by March.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:15pm

I feel stupid for asking this- what is YF?

Anyway, I give it about another year, i.e. till next fall.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:16pm

YF is Young Frankenstein...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:17pm

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Brook's musical adaption of his movie of the same name. It is unknown how far along this project really is. The past year has been difficult for Brooks, with the death of his wife, Anne Bancroft. Brooks has said he is near finishing the show, but I don't believe there has yet been any kind of table read.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:23pm

Thanks

I don't feel stupid, because I didn't know it existed

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:24pm

It doesn't technically "exist" yet.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 2:27pm

From what I understand, Brooks, and Frankel and Co are indeed keeping THE PRODUCERS open at the St. James until YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is ready to come in, which from what I am hearing, is going to be May, 2008...

So, as of now, I say THE PRODUCERS will remain open for another year and a few months or so, say until January 2008...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:30pm

The St. James is a great theater with a great location, so I understand their concern for wanting to keep that theater to house his next production, but I don't think Young Frankenstein really needs to go into the St. James. I could see it working in a "spookier" type house, but who knows. The show might prove to be disastrous with its table readings and out-of-town tryout, so who knows when the Producers will close. I would think the Evita revival or Billy Elliot would snag the St. James as soon as its open.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:36pm

For what it's worth, Joe Papp said in early 1990 that A CHORUS LINE would run forever, even if they had to move to a smaller theatre to ensure it. A couple of months later, the show posted a closing notice.

Never mistake PR spin for the mechanics of the industry. No producer in their right mind would keep a show running at a loss for 18 months just to hold the theatre for their next show.

Mel Brooks is also 80 years old. Truly, we have no idea at this point how far along YF is in the creative process or if he'll ever complete it.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:37pm

They aren't going to keep "The Producers" running just to secure the St. James if it's losing money. Plus, the fact that the tour is turning non-Equity is kind of a death knell...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:40pm

well Hairspray and RENT both have non-equity tours. I would think they would want to close the Producers while it still has its dignity. I mean, the show won the most Tonys in history, let it close while it's on top. Get Matthew and Nathan to come back for a short 6-week run and close the show on their last day.

[Horton]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:44pm

I smell stunt casting in the air.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:49pm

Sorry, RentBoy...Lane and Broderick have already said they wouldn't do these roles again after they finished the movie.

As for YF, I don't think Brooks said YF would have to go into the St. James. He just said he'd like to see the Producers stay on Broadway until YF was ready to arrive. I am not predicting one way or the other, but I do believe it will last through the holidays and then we'll see. They have had a number of down cycles, followed by good occupancy for a show of this age, and they may yet come back from this latest down turn. I wouldn't count out the production team. They may just bring someone in for a stint at the holidays and then try to find another name to give them a resurgence in January.

Unless you are betting your next month's salary on this, it is all conjecture anyway. Only time will tell.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:52pm

It's been a long time since they've done stunt casting on THE PRODUCERS, and not for lack of trying. There is a huge list of "stars" who have turned down offers to do the show. And frankly, nobody except for Nathan Lane and Broderick have ever sold the show out. I wouldn't at all be surprised if they did bring in some "names" but the demands of the show are huge. A lot of celebs are scared of it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:12pm

Really? What are the names if you can share? It doesn't seem that hard of a show for either of the two leads, singing wise. I guess Nathan's character has "Betrayal" which is tough, but Leo Bloom doesn't seem that demanding of a role and is a fairly easy score to sing. The comedy might be hard, but I think any good actor could handle it.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:19pm

Im sure the Richard Dreyfus fiasco in London didnt help bringing other stars into the roles. That, teamed with the Henry Goodman dismissal dont bode well as welcoming signs for possible new actors.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:21pm

Well, true, some of the actors they have approached are just not interested in doing Broadway right now (ex. Steve Martin). Others (ex. John Lithgow) have preferred to do new projects.

But the point is, they've already approached most of the obvious choices (the Dana Carvey, David Spade - SNL alumni types) and movie stars who "do" stage: Alec Baldwin, David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry etc. and they've turned it down.

Happily Brooks and Frankel have shown some dignity, and aren't doing the Weissler thing by going after any D list celebrity they can get.

But there don't seem to be that many A list celebs interested in doing the project, especially 6 years into its Broadway run.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:29pm

True, I was thinking with Haylie Duff and Usher doing Broadway, more stars would consider doing Broadway - granted Haylie isn't really "A-List" but Usher isn't too shabby. He's def. got a great career going for him. I don't see this show lasting much longer, it's already kind of been forgotten and they've made a movie. I mean, the movie isn't much different from the stage show, you're not really missing anything.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:31pm

whats the steve martin story? was he offered Leo?