NY Times gives The Producers a rave review
 

Check out the New York Times' rave--and I mean rave--review of The Producers: <BR>www.nytimes.com/2001/04/20/arts/20PROD.html

Yeah, I saw the reviews today - raves from everyone, it seems. I'm going to be in New York next week, and luckily I thought ahead to get tickets for Friday night. (I missed the preview run here in Chicago, so I'm really looking forward to it!)

Wow, has Ben Brantley ever been so glowing? Can't wait until May 18. This should make up for the lukewarm reviews of Follies, and the less than that reviews of Design for Living, two of the other shows I'll be seeing in May.

We were lucky enough to see it this past Tuesday night. Wow. We took our kids, age 15 and 12, and they loved it, too. What a play for my 12-year-old's first on Broadway! <BR> <BR>We hung around afterward and the kids got Matthew Broderick's autograph--he very kindly took the time to sign everyone's, and there were about 50 people outside the stage door. It really added to a wonderful experience. <BR> <BR>We laughed so hard we could hardly sit up. The choreography, staging, acting, everything--just the best. <BR> <BR>

And with all of that said, the producers of The Producers have increased the ticket price by $10.

Wow, did they really raise the prices for future productions or do you just mean that now that it opened the tickets are $10 more than the previews, which is a normal policy?

Playbill online has an article, that uses the New York Times as a source, that says that the $90 tickets have been raised to $99. The $30 tickets stay the same. <BR> <BR>Playbill article: http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb...0&selector=U.S.

Yes, Brantley has definitely been that glowing. To compare apples to apples and stick with musicals, his review of Chicago, when it first opened with Bebe Neuwirth, Anne Reinking, and Joel Grey, was pretty effusive. The most recent complete rave (actually even more a rave than for the Producers) was for something you weren't crazy about, Patrick, but I am: Contact. Anyway, it's suddenly feeling like a long two months until I see the Producers!

We saw "The Producers" yesterday. The audience gave a standing ovation as the chorus was making their curtain call - all were standing and cheering for the ensemble and the leads. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick are perfection in their roles. Should anyone have the opportunity to see "The Producers" you will not be disappointed. This musical comedy is one that shouldn't be missed...simply fabulous!!!

I'm happy to hear this...I remember seeing the movie version with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder back in the 60's and laughing for weeks, just remembering bits. The storyline is preposterous, but with the right actors -- and from what I hear this one is marvelously cast -- it should just soar.

I hadn't been that interested until I read all the enthusiasm on this board. How far in advance do you need to get tickets? I will be there the beginning of June - am I too late? <BR> <BR>Kim

Kim, it's probably pretty sold out for June, but check www.telechsrge.com; you can plug in dates and get an idea of what's available.

Kim, you can pretty much forget about tickets for The Producers in June....unless you'll settle for standing room. Hey, for that show, it just might be worth standing! <BR>According to all reports, the show is pretty much sold thru at least November/December. <BR>Patrick, I think Ben Brantley's review is his most glowing. (Caitlin, I remember that Contact review, because we immediately called up for tickets after reading, but I think this one's even more of a rave!) Also, Patrick, I'm still looking forward to Follies despite his review!

"The Producers" just received 15 Tony nominations -- a new record (deservedly so, in my opinion). More about all the Tony nominations at http://www.msnbc.com/news/569782.asp

In answer to Kim's question regarding getting tix - here is my experience from last week BEFORE the Tony nominations were announced. Walked over to the box office on Wed at 1pm, waited on line for 1/2 hour (not bad I'm told). Weekends are completely sold out except for balcony, Thursdays as well. I was not picky about the date so we did a search for best available front mezzanine (the guy said forget it for the orchestra) and got two tix, 5th row mezz which hangs over to the 14th row orchestra, for Tuesday nite, November 20. Not bad! PS Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick's contracts run until April 2002. Good Luck

Isn't it perhaps time we left off raving about "The Producers" and started hyping the new hit about the Mummies? Everyone knows P is a success ... what's the point in constantly talking it up, I wonder. How about that Mummies thing .... 70 mil in the first weekend. Do you suppose the movie makers want to make a profit?

So, tell me, L, how many people do you think are coming to NY to see The Mummy Returns?

Well, Howard, you never know what people will do ... but for those who do come to see the mummy in NYC , they should be wearing black. Save those plaids for the multiplex in NJ. Ciao

I've been reading some great reviews about the performances in The Producers. Lately I've also read some letters to the editor of the NY Times from people <BR>who are really offended by the portrayal of Nazis/Hitler. I understand that there are people who will be offended by just <BR>about anything, but I'm really curious -- would this show be upsetting to people who have relatives who've lived through the Holocaust? Is its <BR>zaniness only okay for the not-too- <BR>sensitive? This is a serious question, and I appreciate your responses.

Yes, it will offend some people. And, I certainly would expect survivors of concentration camps and/or their relatives to be upset by The Producers. I cannot answer for them. <BR>At the same time, however, if you watched Mel Brooks on 60 Minutes a couple weeks ago or read the article about him in the NY Times the same day, you would understand why Mr. Brooks created The Producers (and other films which ridiculed Hitler). If I may be daring enough to try to paraphrase what he said....He feels that he is best able to deal with horrors of Hitler and his place in history by ridiculing him and making him look like a buffoon. He certainly succeeds in doing just that in The Producers. <BR>Is he right? Is it right? That's not for me to say. But, I will say that I loved the show! <BR> <BR>