THEATRE REVIEW: "The Producers" at the St James Theatre (New York, NY)

     In late November of 2003, my family and I saw the Mel Brooks / Thomas Meehan musical "The Producers" at the St. James Theatre in New York, NY.  The Broadway Production was directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.  Brooks, Meehan, and Stroman were part of the creative team of the World Premiere Production that performed in Chicago from February 1st through 25th, 2001.  

     The Broadway Production of "The Producers" performed at the St. James Theatre from April 19th 2001 through April 27th, 2007.  Preview performances began March 21st, 2001.  The only actor I remember being in the production the day we saw the show was Fred Applegate.   This was a funny and enjoyable show--but the experience was overshadowed later in the trip when we saw "Wicked."  Still, I remember the "Springtime for Hitler" number when the large mirror tilted upward and showed the dancers in a swastika formation.  I'm surprised the show did as well as it did at the Tony Awards, but not surprised Susan Stroman has never been able to match or surpass the success of "The Producers" with the musicals she directed and choreographed in the future.

     In 2005, not too long after my family and I saw "The Producers" on Broadway, a movie version was made of the musical.  The film starred Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, as well as a few other members of the Original Broadway Cast.  There were also a few additional cast members in the film, such as Will Ferrill and Uma Thurman.  I've never seen this film version of "The Producers."  I've only seen the Mel Brooks film.  The month after we saw the show on Broadway, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick returned to the show, reprising the roles they originated in 2001.  

   

Ad for "The Producers," prior to Lewis J. Stadlen's injury.

  Recently, I looked up the cast info for a November 2003 Playbill from the Broadway Production of "The Producers."  Besides Fred Applegate, the production starred Don Stephenson, and featured Gary Beach, John Treacy Egan, Brad Musgrove, and Angie Schworer.  Also in the production was Madeleine Doherty, Kathy Fitzgerald, Eric Gunhus, Mark Lotito, Peter Marinos, and Jennifer Smith.  Along with Don Stephenson, the production would have starred Lewis J. Stadlen when we saw it, but he got an injury.  That resulted in Fred Applegate taking his place and joining the cast.