"The Producers" closing April 22, 2007- Page 4

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:14pm

On IBDB it says that he already did it once. Can anyone confirm this?

Check the replacement casts info.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:14pm

Double post!

Updated On: 2/25/07 at 11:14 PM

[JerseyScoundrel]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:14pm

He apparently did when Lane and Broderick were in it the second time around.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:36am

Yeah on New Year's Eve I believe

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:49am

I thought so.

[littlechap2]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:16am

The main cast of Will and Grace (McCormack, Messing, Mullaly, and Hayes) were all at some recent callbacks for Young Frankenstein here in New York. Brooks was present to see them.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:21am

How do you know littlechap?

[allvocal]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:49am

I saw this show in Chicago before it went to Broadway.. I thought it was good.. I was entertained... Then it won a million Tony Awards.. I think it's ready to close.

[RevolutionaryCostume]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 10:22am

I was giggling my head off at the news item on SNL's weekend update. .

"The Producers is closing, the final cast will include Joey Buttafucco and a tape recorder with a hat on"

~Jaob.

Posted: 2/25/07 at 10:59am

Does anyone agreee it didn't deserve all 12 Tonys, but maybe 7?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:02am

It was the 800 pound gorilla that year

Many shows & movies do not deserve the accolades they receive & some that do not should. As far as The Producers, it was the best that year. Re individual awards, no idea as would have to go back & check what each winners opposition was.

I will do that & that get back to you. I cannot due it today as we are going to see the last performance of Brel today

[MotorTink]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:03am

I'm glad we went ahead and saw it last month. I don't think I would've had the chance by April. It was really good, I'm glad I saw it, but on a Sat night the theater had A LOT of empty seats. I'd rather a show go out with some dignity then be known as a "Cats".

Oh and Foster totally kicked butt as Leo!

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:41am

I agree with Mr. Roxy. The show was a huge hit when it opened. The reason for the sucess of the show is the chemistry between Lane and Broderick, physically demanding aspects of the Max character, the performances by the entire cast, the staging is unbelieveable, the original story line won an Oscar for best screenplay when the movie with Mostel and Wilder was released, and the the whole show is a love letter to Broadway. That's why the show won so many Tonys, and they were well deserved.

I think that the main competion that year was The Fully Monty", but I may be mistaken.

It's sad to see the show go out admist rumors, and desparate attempts to properly cast the show. But, that is the cost of stunt casting.

[NYSinger1]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:46pm

I would have liked to see the Duo back in it to close the show. I would have seen it one last time with them in it.

It is an amazing show. Not sure it deserved 12 Tony awards, but if you look at the other shows that season...maybe it did..

I am glad they are pulling an MTV move by closing the show a little after its peak, and not after it has sat for years, stagnant with mediocre ticket sales. (like some other shows currently open for 10 years or more...)

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:50pm

Saw the show yesterday... it was pretty dry.
I didn't laugh at all really.


Everyone was very good excpet for Danza, who needs a lesson on speaking English.

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:51pm

Amen, about closing the show, while it's still turning a profit. Now if Rent, Tarzan, Phamton and Lion King.. would follow this lead... ;0

[SamIAm]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:18pm

I appreciated this show but there is no doubt that Brooks made a mistake in creating a vehicle that could only reach heights with the original leads. Brad Oscar and JT did a great job in the role of Max and Roger Bart and Hunter Foster kept Leo going, but the fact is that the show was a vehicle for Lane and to a lesser degree to Broderick.

I am glad to see the show close before it suffers any more embarrassment. As for Brooks having or not having the clout to make the casting decisions, it is not the first time we have seen his misguided fantasies at work in this show (Kidman, Dreyfuss, etc.) He is well known for getting his way and whether Stroman or others on the creative team agreed, Brooks would do what he would do. The sad thing is that this show could have gone out without embarrassing itself and it has now managed to disappoint the dedicated cast and leave them with a bad taste in their mouths and to stunt cast itself into infamy. Sad. Now we hear that he is playing with casting of YF as well and is not likely to leave casting to the casting directors. Sigh.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:31pm

"Stunt cast itself into infamy."

I direct you to the admirable reviews that Tony Danza got. That was the only "stunt casting" the show has done.

"Now we hear that he is playing with casting of YF as well and is not likely to leave casting to the casting directors."

Brooks has just as much say as the casting directors. He knows what the audience wants to see. A show starring Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, and Kristin Chenoweth will play for 6 weeks before closing. Why? Nobody wants to pay to see nobodies.

Granted, with Brooks' name on it, it'll sell out no matter what.

Mel Brooks knows what he's doing. He's not regarded as one of the legends of cinema for nothing.

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:32pm

No one knew that that the show would be as big as it ended up being when it reached Broadway. I seriously doubt that anyone thought that no other actors would be able to do as creditable a job of Max and Leo, whose roles were created in the original movie verison by Mostel and Wilder. In fact, the producers of the show (not Mel Brooks) stated that felt they would not have a problem casting Max after Nathan Lane left the show.

Mel Brooks is know for being a professional, and a over all funny nice guy. He would go with the gudiance of the casting director, the director, and his partners, and would not go about his own wishes if that would damage the show.

As you are so convinced that Mel Brooks is the root of all bad things that happens to The Producers, please.. be honest, is this just your opinion, or fact. Your statements just make any sense for a professional threatrical production. In fact, they should more like sour grapes, perhaps a grudge against Brooks.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:38pm

It has been said that Brooks goes against the advice of his creative team. How true it is or not remains to be seen. So far, though, all of his risky choices (Hasselhoff, Danza), with the exception of 1 (Dreyfuss) have proven successful. Having heard his reaction to Henry Goodman's performance, you can tell he wasn't in on that casting.

The show only became a vehicle for Lane and Broderick after they went back for the second run. It solidifed their reputation as the only Broadway Bialystock & Bloom people wanted to see. For all we know, the roles could have been written with them in mind, but, as we all know, Brooks wouldn't be the first person to write a show with actors in mind.
Updated On: 2/25/07 at 02:38 PM

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:57pm

Exactly, while Brooks does have his say in the casting, he will do what's best for the show. He does know what people want to see, and with a few exceptions (Men in Tights, and SpaceBalls) delivers. To think he went out to created roles that no other actors are capable of playing.. just sounds silly at best.

The problem with the show started with the casting of Henry Goodman, The role of Max while demanding, can certainly be played by other actors with creditbility. What it takes is being able to lure the right actor to physically demanding role. Not easy, but doable.

As for Lane and Broderick being the Max and Leo people want to see, it makes sense, in that they were both up for the Tony Award that year, and Lane (deservedly)won. Also, it's the on stage chemiesty that Lane and Broderick have that lure people to any show they do together.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 9:53pm

Of course everyone wants to see the originators of a role, especially those with great chemistry come back. That's what would have kept the show open until June. But Lane was asking for too much money, according to *insert my source that wishes to remain nameless here*. I guess they figure for minimum wage they can keep the desperate Danza and take a few months vacation. =)

Updated On: 2/25/07 at 09:53 PM

[SamIAm]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 1:17pm

I seriously doubt that anyone on this board who has weighed in on Brooks and his casting choices is doing so because they have a "grudge" against him.

If you put your ear to the wall, you have certainly heard that Brooks is pretty single minded when it comes to getting his way and YES he is a film legend, but one Broadway hit does not make him an expert on casting Broadway shows.

I LOVE Brooks work, but I think you have to separate the man from his work. When he is writing and producing a show, he is intimately involved in all decisions and typically asks for a lot of advice, but often does not take it.

For those who say Tony Danza's turn was successful, I would have to respectfully disagree. I don't find him a believable Max at all and I think that the stunt casting scenario can also be applied to his choices of Richard Dreyfuss and Nicole Kidman. Of COURSE it is all about box office. We all know that. But there is a way to take a good artistic decision and find a good marketing spin to complement it.

Frankly, I am glad this show is closing (though I loved it) because it is due to close. As for rumors that Lane did not come back because he wanted too much money, we can all cite the "unnamed sources" who sometimes know what they are talking about and sometimes do not. Lane and Broderick said they did not want to return a long time ago and that the movie was the last time they wanted to do these roles. I think they both made good career decisions.

...and NOW, watching the weekly casting rumors and maneuvering for YF has become the new sport for Brooks fans.

:)

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 6:16pm

"As for rumors that Lane did not come back because he wanted too much money, we can all cite the "unnamed sources" who sometimes know what they are talking about and sometimes do not. Lane and Broderick said they did not want to return a long time ago and that the movie was the last time they wanted to do these roles. I think they both made good career decisions."

Eh, I heard it from an employee of the St. James Theatre. I'm assuming that's somewhat legit. **shrug**

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 6:55pm

"I seriously doubt that anyone on this board who has weighed in on Brooks and his casting choices is doing so because they have a "grudge" against him." <-- The point was missed. The point is that Brooks is going to do what's right for the show, and as what has been stated here, doesn't always have the final say in casting decision. When the film verision of the Play was made in to a film - Brooks openly, and repeatedly stated he was hands off. The results was a disater at the BO.

In casting for a Broadway show, or a film the same elements are looked for.. talent and the ability to sell tickets. And not always in that order. The goal is to make money on the project.

As far as Danza ability in the role, he's not new to Broadway, and went to The Producers asking for the role of Max (he's stated it in enough interviews). Some people feel he's doing a creditable job, others don't. The reviews he recieved were mixed. But the truth is his name was not able to increase sales enough to keep the show open longer.

For the casting on YF, everyone knows that the cast that did the workshop isn't always going to be the cast the brings the show to Broadway, for a variety of reasons. As far as "...and NOW, watching the weekly casting rumors and maneuvering for YF has become the new sport for Brooks fans. " There's a word for that it's called auditioning.