Will the PRODUCERS close in 2006?- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 11:08am

Thats curious, Music and Passion, because I'm sort of under the impression that they've "gone through" most of the names who were interested in doing the show. Unless they start doing Weissler casting and pulling in David Hasselhoff, and Barry Williams, I'm not sure who there is left to bring in.

Plus the show didn't do well in Los Angeles with Martin Short and Jason Alexander - and if those two can't pull a draw, than who?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 11:09am

The movie of Phantom tanked as well, with worse reviews than the Producers movie got. And that didn't affect their box office for the show. I don't think they'll close Producers in 2006, but it may only have another year left in it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 11:14am

But when PHANTOM opened on the big screen there was an immediate boost at the Broadway box office. THE PRODUCERS has had its lowest box office takes ever in the weeks since the film flopped. Traditionally, most movie versions have killed off their still running Broadway counterparts within a year or so of opening: HELLO DOLLY, THE WIZ, ANNIE, etc.

PHANTOM seems to be the exception to that rule. Plus PHANTOM benefits from not needing stars and is an increasing novelty in the age of comic musicals like HAIRSPRAY, WEDDING SINGER, SPAMALOT etc.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 11:17am

Chicago is still going strong too.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 11:43am

I saw The Producers a few months ago and as I have previously stated, I was really disappointed! The show did nothing for me. I found it funny at times, but it felt long and painful for both the actors and the audience.

It's time for it to go.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:40pm

I think that it is a great acting job for musical comedy actors. It's also a great home for people who wish to play multiple roles. Think about it, John Tracy Egan has played three major roles in the show!
However, I think when it makes 2,212 performances ("Oklahoma!") or whatever mark "Hello, Dolly!" made, the producers will have a big ceremony it, call it better than both those shows and then let it die.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:47pm

I agree...it may not be the most fantastic, creative show but they do employ loads of actors. So as long as they're doing that, what's the problem?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:51pm

So as long as they're doing that, what's the problem?

The problem is that a creatively bankrupt show, a dead horse being flogged long past its prime may well employ lots of people but it also means that other shows wanting to come in may not be able to. So other, possibly better shows don't happen because old ones refuse to die.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:55pm

I agree.
We wouldn't be worrying about "Drowsy Chaperone" and others finding a house if Producers and Phantom would close.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 1:12pm

I'd say that within the next 3 years, the musical will close. The humor is limited and without big and talented stars, it loses its appeal.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 1:19pm

If the show does close, I'm hoping it would be around the time that Brooks has Young Frankenstein ready and that Young Frankenstein would move into the St. James after The Producers, but I don't really see the show closing any time soon, maybe in a couple of years, but not like immediately.
________________________________________________________________
"Like that bunny on t.v. with the battery, I just keep going and going and going. Chasing the music, trying to get home."
-Jersey Boys

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 2:33pm

This has got to be the saddest thread I have ever read...

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 3:01pm

I saw the entire OBC, and thought it was great. It's not my favorite show, but I thought all of the raves were dead- on. I saw it again recently to see Hunter Foster (<3!) and found the show still in great shape, artistically. Now it would be nice if we could have some theaters for some new shows on Broadway, but in a fantasy world, this would mean rebuilding theaters/ claiming the Mark Hellinger back instead of forcing out Producers...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 3:14pm

I love the show. I saw it in October with Brad Oscar and Hunter Foster and they were terrific. The show was in pristine shape. I think there's a lot of life left in this musical.

[hypertruffle]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 5:18pm

I saw it last summer with Hunter Foster and John Tracy Egan. The actors were divine and energized...but I can't help feeling that there was something missing. Like, as if there was some sort of lackluster scent in the production. It's not that I hated it when I saw it. Mind you, I had a fun time regardless of that. Not to be pessimistic, but I definately can't see this running for another 5 years.

I'd give it 2-3 more years.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:12pm

Then Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Phantom need to close too! I saw Phantom and I didn't think it was the greatest thing, sure it has some wonderful music, but if you're going to close The Producer which has only gone for 5 years, let's close all the other long running shows and get something NEW in them.

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:13pm

I love the show, and really don't want to close soon, maybe in a couple of years. What bothers me is that they made a movie of it with mostly the original cast, who many consider cant' be replaced, only a couple years after it's opening. Now if you were a tourist would you pay over 60 dollars to go see something that you could see the original cast in for under 10 dollars, or go to see something else.

They definately should have waited to put the movie out. I mean in like 5 years, Lane and Broderick would still be able to play the roles, right.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:22pm

I think it will close when Young Frankenstien opens.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:26pm

I saw it on tour and it was really packed and our auditorium/theater is fairly large. I mean it packed the same place that played Lion King, if that says anything. I thought it was so funny when I saw it live, but I thought the movie wasn't funny at all. I dont know why, but I just didn't like it. I wouldn't want to go see it again, the only thing that could really draw me back in is if i was in NYC and Hunter foster was still in the role.

[morosco]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:27pm

I remember when it opened there was buzz that Broadway had never seen a outrageously popular hit like this since A CHORUS LINE. It was never about Mel Brooks or Susan Stroman or anyone else on the creative team. This show was all about Nathan and Matthew. (I saw it with the original cast and I despised every moment of it.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:48pm

If they brought in Jason Alexander & Martin Short, it would be a shot in the arm. With Short's show coming to broadway, forget about this idea

It was on TKTS today for 35 % off. Surprisingly, I do not remember seeing WIW on te board

Updated On: 2/4/06 at 06:48 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:50pm

Well, the show is definitely going to have to pick up at the box office for it to play another 3-4 years - right now its at less than 60 percent and in the the bottom five on Playbill's attendance chart.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:52pm

At the rate it is going, it is lucky to last out the year.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:53pm

But still it's making $600,000 a week. % attendance isn't the key figure.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:57pm

True, popculture, and I don't know what the weekly running costs of THE PRODUCERS is, but there are very, very few shows that can make their running costs selling less than 60 percent. Indeed, almost all theatres have a clause in their contracts with producers that gives them the right to boot a tenant with a number of weeks under 50 percent capacity, and the St. James is considered by many to be the "most desirable" theatre on Broadway. So for the PRODUCERS to be hovering in the 50%s at attendance is actually kind of perilous.

But that said, never underestimate the ego of Mel Brooks who I could easily see running the show into the ground and whipping a horse way after its long dead.