Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA It's an interesting article [the one in Playbill], but it's difficult [for me] to read his [Schumaker's] lengthy and wordy comments with all of the parenthesis [in each sentence.]
Originally Posted By TheRedhead There was an interesting article in the NY Times a few weeks ago (I'll try to find it) that talked about the state of touring today. It used to be that musicals would make the bulk of their money off of touring productions. But lately, shows haven't been very "tour friendly." Hairspray, Full Monty, and Producers flopped on tour, and Avenue Q opted to forgo it altogether (until the Las Vegas show tanked). Spamalot doesn't look too good either. But the comment was made that the shows that DO tour well are the Lion Kings and Phantoms and Catssss. Touring theaters are DYING for a hit show like those to come through that will also appeal to non-NYC audiences. You would think that a show with "Disney" and "Tarzan" in the title would make them salivate. But I've heard in interviews (not this article) and from a friend that no one is banking on a tour. Just foreign markets. I would think that if Tarzan closes earlier than expected (which it might and should), then they might toss a tour together. With Mary Poppins coming, I honestly think Tarzan could take a major hit. But in the meantime, there's ZERO buzz about Tarzan - in New York and elsewhere. So a tour seems like a losing proposition anyway.
Originally Posted By Britannia I read between the lines. From interviews I've seen with him, from what I've heard about him, and from what was spoken about him in the DREAM ON SILLY DREAMER documentary, he strikes me as a man very much in control of what he says and how he says it. Reading between the lines, I see uncertainty about the success of a tour (because he doesn't answer a very straightforward question). My guess is that if it doesn't tour, he will say that it's because of the feasibility, but shows make tons of money on tours. They could not have created it without expecting it to be adaptable on stages throughout the country (and really, the swinging stuff is the only tough thing, and I can't believe that is not able to be done equally well on tour).
Originally Posted By dresswhites i worked at a gammage auditorium in tempe arizona. This is where all the broadway touring shows come. even if tarzan is not doing well on Broadway, it hasn't stoped other flops on broadway from touring. one can argue half of the broadway shows that came to Gammage were major flops. Suesical the musical, Fame, Titanic, Civil War were some of the "wonderful" shows we got the privledge of seeing here in AZ. One can go further and say there really is only a few hit broadway shows that do well on broadway and on tour. the ones that come to top of my mind, Phantom, Les Miserable, Miss Saigon, Cats, Mamma Mia, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The lion KIng is also probabaly going to join that club. Other than that most broadway shows are not big successes no mattter where they play. Phantom and Les Mis were the only shows that i know of that completely sold out the house every night on all the mutiple times those two shows came. so unless it a personal decison on Shumacher part, i can't see why Tarzan wouldn't tour. Also the Producers did fairly well in Tempe. Maybe it didn't do so well in other cities though.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead ^^^Yup. It had a theater built especially for it, and part of the deal was that Ave Q would not tour. The Las Vegas show shut down because of poor business, and then had to go to the touring theaters with their tails between their legs saying that a tour was forthcoming.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Its a shame too, both "Avenue Q" and "Hairspray" had great casts in Vegas. So, anyone placing bets on how long "The Producers" will last? Speaking of which, look at what they cut out of it: >Act One, Scene 4: "We Can Do It" Reprise (Max & Leo) Act One, Scene 6: "Der Guten Tag Hop Clop" (Franz, Max, Leo) Act One, Scene 9: Act One Finale (All) Act Two, Scene 1: "That Face" (Leo, Ulla, Max) Act Two, Scene 3: "You Never Say 'Good Luck' on Opening Night" (Roger, Max, Carmen, Leo, Franz) Act Two, Scene 5: "Where Did We Go Right?" (Max, Leo) Act Two, Scene 6: "Betrayed" (Max) Act Two, Scene 7: Max's section of "'Til Him" (Max)<
Originally Posted By TheRedhead I'd be surprised if The Producers lasts a year. But I wasn't a real fan of the original anyway. The "edited Vegas musical" thing just seems odd to me. Aren't you paying the same money as if you had sen it on Broadway? Don't you feel cheated? And are Vegas tourists really THAT strapped for time?
Originally Posted By lesmisfan WOW! seeing what was cut out kind of suprised me. Alot of those numbers are important to the show. not all but alot of them. i dont think the producers will last in vegas.
Originally Posted By Stageman The producers is closing - <a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/16069/the-producers-to-close-on-broadway" target="_blank">http://www.thestage.co.uk/news /newsstory.php/16069/the-producers-to-close-on-broadway</a> and Little Frankenstein is opening in it's place. Theres a Mel Brooks thing happening there, what's next Robin Hood (Men In Tights)?
Originally Posted By TheRedhead Good riddance to "The Producers." I know I'm in the minority, but I thought the show was terrible. I have a gut feeling that lightning won't strike twice. Or at the very least, reviewers will be expecting the second coming of Jesus with "Young Frankenstein" and, when it's not perfect, wind up trashing it. It'll at least be interesting to see how much of his "dream cast" he's able to get.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby What "Young Frankenstein" has that "Producers" doesn't though is a more timeless story. A lot of the jokes in "Producers" the musical were carry overs from the movie, and they had the mold to prove it. I think "YF" will be more along the lines of "Spamalot", attracting a lot of non-Broadway-goers to it. Or it could fall on its face like all those vampire musicals ...
Originally Posted By Stageman <<LOL - "Little Frankenstein" ... Actually, its "Young Frankenstein".>> LOL - I knew that, you see what happens when I get distracted by a thread on "The Little Mermaid"..... or should that be "The Young Mermaid" ;o)
Originally Posted By xrayvision >>Flubber Goes Boing!<< Coming soon to red light district theaters everywhere.
Originally Posted By xrayvision I would LOVE for Hutchback to be presented onstage in the U.S. The movie features some of my favorite Disney music. And, the DL stage show for Hunchback was also really good.
