The Producers - soft box office

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:13pm

The Producers seems to be selling a lower percentage of their house than many shows that opened before it and after it.


I wonder if "star names" would unsoften The Producers box office. Or is it, that the star salary would "eat up" the difference in profits anyway?

I'm very surprised that the Producers softened so relatively fast? Any thoughts?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:15pm

Personally, I have a small desire to see the producers. I really don't think the music is that good. It is just ok to me. What stars would be good in it? I think it will close soon.

Updated On: 7/9/03 at 07:15 PM

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:37pm

Wow! I just looked at The Producers on Broadway numbers last week and agree they are surprisingly low, 5th place, $815,000, and 74%. I would suggest waiting until next week and checking again to see if this is just a "blip" or a trend, then discuss it further. But it is true that Standlen/Stephenson will never be mistaken for Lane/Broderick or Alexander/Short.

As for the ludicrous notion that The Producers would close, GET REAL! If Mel were to decide to open his wallet and make Jason Alexander and Martin Short "an offer they couldn't refuse" to come to Broadway in '04, The Producers would be right back on top again. I saw Jason & Martin in L.A. again last week and these guys are getting very very good!!

Also, this show is a franchise bonanza with current productions on Broadway, Boston, and Los Angeles. And within the next year it will open in London, Melbourne, Toronto, and possibly Germany.

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:37pm

I don't think it will last too long. Of course, there are those tourists and such that still pack into the St. James all the time to see what they've heard is the pinnacle of Broadway entertainment. That tourism appeal should keep it open for a good while longer. But until they get big names in the leads, which is what I think the show needs, the audience will probably remain all tourists rather than avid theatre goers.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:48pm

I don't know. I think The Producers has settled in for a long run.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:41pm

I happened to have enjoyed THE PRODUCERS, yet I will admit it has no musical redeeming value.

But do not under estimate the taste of middle America. THE PRODUCERS is seen as risque', and oh, so naughty. So it in for a long run in my opinion. Yes, Mel, can insure that just as ALW can with his shows.

THE PRODUCERS is sill, it's fun, it's New York. Casting however is what can catapault it bact to the top. (FYI, I have elected Jason Alexander to the BroadwayWorld Over Rated Hall of Fame.)

Yours for a better Broadway!

[alterego]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 3:42am

Sad isn't it, when a show like the Producers grosses take such a dip when some of the junk that opened both before and after continue to do well? (Why is Phantom STILL playing?).

Geoffrey Rush is rumored to be playing Roger in the Melbourne(where he lives) production . Could it be a warm up for Broadway? Updated On: 7/10/03 at 03:42 AM

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 5:18am

Geoffrey Rush? That could be interesting....

I agree that the show won't be closing anytime soon. However, perhaps it won't be running for 10 or 15 years like many people thought.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 8:14am

Guys-
Lets get real. The Producers isnt going anywhere for some time. Lets say its weekly nut is around 510,000 (because there arent any names in it right now.) It is still doing over 800,000 in a bad week. So they are still making a 300,000 profit every week. AND it hasnt been at tkts and there is only one discount code available for weeknights.
I thought the show was pretty good but im just showing you that it wont close for probably another two years at least.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 7/10/03 at 8:07pm

I got to see The Producers after Nathan and Matthew left. Then when I saw what a small theater it was; I understood the wait for tickets. I did not even see Roger Bart that day, I saw his understudy who was excellent. I do want to see it again because I like Mel Brooks' comedies. I will wait until someone who I think will be great is in it. I never heard of the actors that are in it now.

[Eleven]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 5:11am

With Lewis Standlen who is "miscast" in the lead role of Max Bialystock, I'm surprised The Producers on Broadway numbers have remained as high as they have through June. When Standlen & Stephenson were doing The Producers national tour, patrons were never paying above $65 for a top seat. But now on Broadway, the producers of The Producers are asking theatergoers to pay $100 a seat to see the "3rd String Team". Either change the Broadway leads or start picking up your tickets for The Producers on Broadway at the TKTS booth. For now, my suggestion to those who want to see The Producers is head for L.A. for the Jason & Martin experience.

[Standing O]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:03pm

I can't understand the logic, a year ago The Producers dismissed a formidable actor, Henry Goodman, out of concern that the public "might not" relate to his take on Max Bialystock. Now today, with the popularity of Broadways The Producers dropping rapidly there doesn't seem to be concern at the St. James. While Lewis Standlen who seems like a nice enough guy has just been put into a NO WIN situation because he doesn't have the charisma or singing voice to play Max successfully on Broadway.

It reminds of the line from The Producers, when Max says to Leo, "You know when I said I'd tell you when we're in to deep, WELL WE'RE IN TO DEEP!"

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:19pm

Eleven, where are you from? I'm asking because we paid MUCH more than $65 a seat in San Francisco. This was for Orch Row G, pretty close to center stage. That ticket price was $81 plus fees, which puts it around $85. Not quite what they're getting in New York, but still pretty expensive for a theatre seat. Your point, however, is still well taken.

~D

[Becky]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:22pm

While I enjoyed the Producers, I enjoyed several shows that opened along side that show much more. I returned many times to see THE FULL MONTY, and it took a while before I had a desire to return to The Producers. The music wasn't very memorable, and there are many moments that drag.

I don't think it's time to panic, I think the show will continue to run for a while. It is a great show, just not the phenomenon that the hype would have suggested.

[moljul]

Posted: 7/11/03 at 2:32pm

Actually Broadwaylady, The St. James Theater is one of the largest houses on Broadway.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/13/03 at 8:30pm

Mel Brooks should have snagged Eric McCormack to play Leo Bloom during his summer hiatus from WILL AND GRACE. Eric is a superb stage actor and he was Susan Stroman's 1st choice to replace Matthew Broderick last summer. However, Eric's wife was in the last weeks of her pregnancy and Eric felt it was his place to remain in LA with her. What a guy!