Who saw the last performance of The Producers?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:00pm

If anyone here saw it today, please post reviews!

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:11pm

Maybe in your search you did not see the already active topic entitled "closing Performance of the Producers Tomorrow" only two threads under yours?

Oh wait, you probably didn't search, did you? Try it next time! You may find it addictive...

[Horton]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:16pm

Or maybe its because that thread says the producers closing TOMORROW!! and the producers closed today. And lets say he did'nt search, I much rather have this thread on the board than 1000 The Wedding Singer should not have closed threads.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:19pm

This may be hard for you to understand, but the thread only has tomorrow in the title because it was created yesterday. It is still active today and people have been using that thread. This one is just unnecessary. And don't try to make me look bad by implying I want all of the other unnecessary threads. I want them gone just as much as you do.

[littlechap2]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:26pm

Why do you care when you can just use the search function to find what you need anyway?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 10:35pm

I saw that thread AND I posted on that thread, thank you.

But I made this for the people who saw it today. That thread turned into something else. Just not about the last performance.

And thank you for the suggestion to search next time...you'd think I'd know about it since I've been here LONGER THAN YOU!

[BillM]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 11:28pm

I saw the performance today and it was very emotional. Although the theatre wasn't sold out, the atmoshere was electric and the audience was charged. After many of the songs, they cheered wildy. The audience also reacted to a few minor characters particularly, to Donald Dimsload (character name) who auditioned "The Little Wooden Boy." Another huge ovation was given to Angie S after brilliantly belting out "When You Got It, Flaunt It." as well as "Have You Ever Heard the German Band" (I won't ry the German version) And, of course, everyone shouted for Carmen Ghia.

Both John Treacy Egan and Hunter Foster were sky high. They work well together and John sang his heart out. When Hunter and Angie danced to "That Face" both seemed to be savoring the moment. Everyone realized that this was a very special day.

I had hoped to see Mel Brooks at the performance but no one was sure if he would make an appearance. Just before the show, the crowd in the Orchestra give a big cheer. I was in the balcony anf couldn't see who it was. It was Tom Meehan and so there was some doubt that Mel Brooks would be there. He didn't disappoint however. When the show ended and the actors took their bows, Mel, Susan Stroman, Tome Meehan and a few other took to the stage. You can just imagine the audience reaction. It didn't matter that Lane and Broderick passed it up. Susan said some nice things but I was too busy trying to snap a picture with little digital camera (not easy with spotlights on the stage). Management didn't mind, after all the show was over. Then, Mel thanked everyone and said something to the affect that he hasn't had so much fun since World War II.Then, he mentioned Lane and Broderick, and when he did, big John Treacy Egan asked "Who are they?" John and Hunter deserved to be in the spotlight today. John put his own little nuances into role and was more than convincing as Max. Both John and Hunter deserve a lot of credit. Back to Mel; he said "I love everyone on stage, backstage and out front." When I heard that, I couldn't help myself, and yelled from the first row in the balcony, "We love you, Mel!" and the audience concured. Wow, we were all so lucky to see and hear this great comedy genius.

Afterwards, about 50 to 75 people waited at the door hoping to see the actors. I wanted to see Mel Brooks. But he left the St. James immediately after speaking. I stayed and watched the actors leave to go to a party next to the St. James. All were very accomodating: they all signed programs and posed for pictures. When someone asked John what he would be doing next, he said that he was going to DisneyWorld. Everyone laughed. Angie S (Ulla) seemed to be the most popular and she signed for a long time. The last one out was Hunter Foster; then it was over. It was a fabulous run filled with so many memories. And while Lane and Broderick sold out the house every night and were indeed magical, the entire cast made it into a long running success. And finally, thank you Mel Brooks. There will never be anyone with your talent(s) and ability to make people laugh. "It's good to be the king." God bless you!


Updated On: 4/22/07 at 11:28 PM

[BJC899]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 11:32pm

I was there. BillM's description was very accurate.

I will never forget it!! I video-taped the speech at the end..so ya know search for it "there" soon.

I also saw Bebe's last show in Chicago after that
Updated On: 4/22/07 at 11:32 PM

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 11:43pm

BillM, you made me cry. Way to go! lol.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 11:58pm

I wonder what Angie is going to do next. She was in the show a really long time.

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 4:04am

I think its also important to remember Peter Marinos and Eric Gunhus, original ensemble members who were still in the show up to its closing. Kudos to those guys!

[littlechap2]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 6:45am

Just too clarify, my comment above was directed toward yankeefan's rudeness, and to no one else.

I was also at the final performance (it happened to fall on my birthday, which was wonderful) and it was a truly spectacular event. I have been a huge fan of this show ever since it hit Broadway, and have been through a lot with it. i definitely agree with everything the previous reviewer said. It was a genuinely magical and special night. The performance was electric in a way that it had not been to me in a long time. It was my eleventh time (I know, maybe a few too many!) and for the first time since i saw it on July 14, 2001, it seemed like it was brand new. I had gone in hoping that there would be a surprise with Lane and Broderick playing this performance, or maybe the last scene, but I am thouroughly glad they did not. Egan and Foster were perfection, and deserved every moment of that last show and all of the cheers they recieved. I hope they savored it. Everyone in the cast did a marvelous job, it was no easy task to make the show feel so new for the very last time. It was especially nice to see the original ensemble members get some recognition from the audience of die-hards.

My Father and grandparents imparted my love of Mel Brooks to me at a very young age. Starting with the 2000 year old man ("Eat a nectarine. Half a peach, half a plum, it's a helluva fruit"), then many of his great movies, and of course this great show, I have loved so much of what this man has done. I guess you can get very sentimental over someone you don't even know when they have brought so much joy into your life and the lives of the people you love. I have seen him in person before, but have never been able to meet him until yesterday. It was great to see him talk and say such wonderful heartfelt things about the show and everyone involved in it, and for him to mention the people in the house was great too. Afterward, my Dad and I were lucky enough to meet this man who has meant so much to us and that really put a perfect cap on the day, as well as on the closing of the show.

Congratulations to all involved. And especially to Mel. May you live to a hundred and never have to run for a bus in all that time. After all, there will always be another.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 7:47am

Too many friggen people with "Yankee" "fan" here. I thought it was referring to me.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 7:49am

How was Bebe's last Chicago?

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 8:02am

Simba, you are the the one, true Yankeefan. And by Simba, I mean 007.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 2:49am

I, too, was at the last performance. I knew it was going to be an emotional performance. I could not expect what the audience gave to that performance. The final performance was my 75th viewing, so having so much gratitude from the audience to all of the actors was simply wonderful.

And as someone mentioned previously, the cheering for Donald Dinsmore was totally my entire section. We go crazy for Jim Borstelmann. He's too great for words.

And having Mel Brooks in the audience was just... wow... there's not even words for that. Post show I had the opportunity to (very briefly) speak with Mel and Susan Stroman and Tom Meehan. Just to thank them for this show that has brought me a whole hell of a lot of joy. They were all very sweet.