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>

As a child of holocaust survivors, who saw Mel brooks on 60 minutes, and saw the movie, I can honestly say I'm happy for his success, and can understand why its such a hit, but I personally don't think I could howl with the laughter the play is suppose to induce. I loved the movie Life is beautiful, and thats a holocaust comedy, but something about the Producers just bothers my sensibilities.

Howard and Mary, <BR>Thanks for your thoughtful answers to my question. Sounds like it is not the show for everyone, though you wouldn't know it from reading the reviews. I will watch the Tony Awards on TV, though -- <BR>a great way to get a taste of what's on Broadway, and maybe to get a clearer idea of this show's sensibilities. <BR>Best, <BR>Ann

What is interesting, I believe, is why this remake is so popular ... why did it come along now, and why have people responded so enthusiastically. Mel Brooks is hardly a household name these days. He didn't sell us on this production. Why the popularity, and why now? What need it this responding to? Did you see the recent New Yorker cover? The title was furor on Broadway. Why the furor?

L, <BR> <BR>If you are tired of reading posts about the Producers here is a suggestion - if you see a post with Producers in the title just skip it. <BR> <BR>Personally, I am tired of reading about your obsession with wearing black. Get over yourself dude. Ciao right back at ya! <BR> <BR>M

Well, M, your advice was a bit over the top ... that I should get over myself? Wow, sounds like it's kinda that kinda day for you. Sorry, but perhaps tomorrow will be better. It happens to all of us, so you have my best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to civility. BTW, care to tackle any of my questions about this huge response to Producers? I'd be genuinely interested if you have some other thoughts. Ciao

<BR>L, <BR> <BR>I would be delighted to tackle your question about the huge response to the Producers. It is a huge conspiracy in the press and the theater community to aggravate the heck out of you...I think you were targeted because they don't like people who insist on wearing black all the time. <BR> <BR>I am having a great day by the way but thanks for your concern. Ciao baby. <BR> <BR>M

Hey, M, too bad, a wasted opportunity to communicate. Your thoughts might have been interesting, you never know. But, LOL, lets be real, just for a moment. Black just looks better in NYC, and many other places as well. If one is a plaid person, well, doesn't make them a bad person. So, take it easy, guy, and here's hoping the rest of your day goes a bit better. Hope our paths will cross more happily down the road on the flipside. Ciao.

Getting back to the subject at hand--sorry about that L & M! (Hey, you two ought to go into the cigarette business! I'm really dating myself with that comment!) <BR>Anyway, the reason why The Producers is such a hit is simple: It's a tremendously entertaining show. I really don't think there's any deeply psychological reason for its success now, I really don't. <BR>Incidentally, Ann, while the show does ridicule Hitler to a delightful extreme, Mel Brooks has not spared his scathing satirical pen when it comes others. Jews and gays are indeed butts of his humor. And I find that to be a very interesting point, since, except for tourists, Jews and gays are probably the two biggest supporters of the theater in NY! And, both groups are indeed supporting this show!

Thanks, Howard, for those thoughts. Yes, I do get the L&M reference ... but I'm not Big Tobacco. LOL. It is surprising to me, given the subject matter, that Producers has been such a major hit ... the Post covered the 15 nominations big time today. They loved it. Not my cup of tea this season. Anyway, will not take up more of your time. Ciao.

L: In response to your question of why is this so popular, I would like to give my thoughts. Broadway is desperate for an American based hit. What we have on Broadway falls into four categories (with a few exceptions): revival, children's show, musicalization/adaptation of movie and British import. Because of the dynamics of Broadway, nobody wants to take a chance on a show that may not be a hit. The Producers is a success because everyone knows the movie, Mel Brooks and Nathan Lane. However, shows like this make for a very dull theater season. When you look at Broadway's past, you marvel at how wonderful a season could be.

Aus contraire, Philip. The Producers has made this a most exciting season. I can't remember the last show that caused this much excitement--not even The Lion King. <BR>And, in general, it's been a very good season on Broadway, especially if you look at the list of non-musicals that have been produced.

L, You are rapidly approaching Rex's status as most ubiquitous and least enlightening.

Are those your 2 words for the day?