rec.arts.theatre.musicals

I think Variety's review is a bit on the negative side ... if THE
PRODUCERS seemed fresher, it's only because it was the first Mel
Brooks musical, coming out of left field. Now we have some
familiarity with the Brooks/Strohman musical comedy style, so it's not
as big a surprise. I loved THE PRODUCERS but this one is bigger,
bolder, more spectacular, and just as much fun.

It does need a bit of trimming -- which is unfortunate, since it's a
question of "too much of a good thing". The 90 minute Act One needs
to be a bit streamlined and the last half hour drags a tad -- it ends
too many times.

The soap/cheese gag, which I agree with Variety will probably be cut
-- because it's a totally independent little skit that takes up a fair
amount of stage time -- is, even so, hilarious. It had me on the
floor laughing.

I don't envy them having to cut the show, since everything in the
version I saw (August 16) worked and was delightful. But they have to
cut *something* because 2 3/4 hours is simply too long for a spoof.
It's like a 35 course banquet ... no matter how great the food, you
get full at some point ...

I will treasure the memory of the soap/cheese skit, though. Glad I
saw it ...

On Aug 26, 3:48 am, NewportsRe...@ (Steve Newport) wrote:
> opening the doors to a new age of self-aware irony in American musicals.
> -------------------------------------------
> Everything from URINETOWN to XANADU. Bah!