The Producers (2001 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for The Producers (2001 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: Springtime for Broadway
Hit: 5 Stars
There is no doubt that the film called "The Producers" was one of the great tasteless laugh riots of all times, marred (in my opinion) only by the over-the-top performances of both stars and almost all of the supporting cast. From what I have heard of the Broadway version of <The Producers> on the Sony label (SK89646), the musical should be equally hilarious although most of the songs are not quite on the level to which Mel Brooks (lyricist and composer, of course) might have aspired.Of the three songs retained from the film, "Springtime for Hitler" is still the tops in Swiftian satire, both lyrically and musically, while "Prisoners of Love" comes a close second. Giving the "Deutsche Band" number to another character (sung by Brad Oscar) lessens its impact because of its weaker delivery on this disc. The rest of the songs vary from really funny ("Opening Night" and "Where Did We Go Right") to fairly forgettable ("That Face"). But the good humor of the proceedings bubbles throughout so how can you qvetch?
From the pictures supplied in the annotations (and a full set of lyrics is thoughtfully provided), I can see that we are missing a great deal without the visual; and one can only hope that some kind soul will provide a video of this show to those of us who cannot get to New York or afford tickets if we could. Still, I am happy to report that stars Nathan Lane (Max Bialystock, with a nod to New York bagel places) and Matthew Broderick (Leo Bloom, with a nod to James Joyce) win us over even without being seen.
Free Music Review: Fantastic all around!
Hit: 5 Stars
.... I can see why now, as this has some of the most wonderful and uproarious songs I've ever heard. The performances are great all around. Matthew Broderick is great in his part and Nathan Lane, in the role of his life, is absolutely brilliant. He truly shows off his talent in the magnificent King of Broadway which shows off his pin-point comedic timing and excellent singing voice. The supporting case is perfect as well. Most notably Gary Beach as both the flamboyant director and Hitler in the play. The storyline itself is pretty silly, but what would you expect? As for the music, it's certainly not too complex but the lyrics are hilarious and the tunes are catchy. That Face and Til' Him are both mushy love songs...not exactly Brook's specialty. They are both well sung but neither exactly memorable. We Can Do It is also very dull (mostly the same phrase over and over and over again). The rest of the songs range from great (Keep it Gay, I Wanna Be a Producer, Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop, Opening Night, Where Did We Go Right?) to absolutely fantastic (The King of Broadway and the revised version of Springtime For Hitler). Along Came Bialy is in very bad taste but still manages to be funny...from the picture in the booklet I can conclude that the song, above all else, is a spectacular stage show. Nathan Lane's show stopper Betrayed is pretty silly, but Lane's performance of it is nothing short of amazing. In the end, the pros far outweigh the cons and I can see why this got a mountainload of Tony nominations. Just entertaining, simple as that.Free Music Review: I HATE Mel Brooks!
Hit: 5 Stars
And why shouldn't I? The man made one of the funniest films ever created, The Producers--number 11 on AFI's list of great comedies--and now he goes and writes a hilarious trifecta of songs, lyrics and book for a Broadway production of the movie. Doesn't he know when to leave well enough alone? Can't he rest on his laurels from being a creative contributor to "Your Show Of Shows" or giving us Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein? No, at 74, he has to prove once and for all that humor does not evaporate with age. This is a good thing for the world at large. In fact, I am 41 and feeling very witty today. But back to The Producer's hilarious score: I've heard better tunes (Soundheim) and better lyrics (Soundheim) but I don't think I've heard such exuberant energy since Little Shop of Horrors. The songs have an old fashioned, almost retro simplicity that's a delight to hear again--like discovering in your Granny's attic a 60's show that's never seen the light of day. (And what was your Granny doing having a secret fling with Jule Styne or Frank Loesser?) I have been waiting for this album since I originally saw the movie and began fantasizing about a Broadway version. We're talking years and years ago. That's a lot of fantasizing. It does not disappoint. I could go into specifics, singling out particularly worthy melodies and lyrics but why spoil it for you? Go, go, buy this album and laugh your behind off. And, oh yeah, good luck getting tickets for the show in New York. Mine are in my safety deposit box.Free Music Review: Fantastic - a politically incorrect scream of a musical.
Hit: 5 Stars
How did Mel Brooks get away with this? Gags about gays and old ladies? Chorus lines of guys and dolls in Nazi regalia? A musical remake of a 30-year old movie?Yet when you listen to the CD it is obvious - many of the numbers could stand on their own and salvage an otherwise blaze' production. But here it's one hit after another. The lyrics are incredibly witty. The musical scores brilliant, wacky and loaded with powerful, punchy numbers that in a lot of ways are more like the traditional musical scores of the '40's and '50's.
My favorites were "I Want To Be a Producer", "Keep it Gay" and, of course, the insane "Springtime for Hitler" which is actually several songs put together in an 8:27 minute long "mini-musical" within the musical - worth the CD itself.
The singing is top notch, one excellent performance after another. Matthew Broderick's singing talent may be a surprise to his Ferris Buehler fans - except there was that "Dankeshein" number in the parade scene for those who remember it.
The only tiny flaw with this musical is the occasionally pointless profanity and bathroom/puberty humor. It only serves to remind one that there is still a piece of Mel Brooks brain that never left the junior high school locker room. Nevertheless any work this brilliant will remain a 5-star classic.
Also good booklet with the CD that gives all the lyrics, a good synopsis of the play and a bunch of good photos. Buy this, buy this, buy this.
Free Music Review: WOW! FANTASTIC ALL AROUND!
Hit: 5 Stars
Eventhough, I am a huge fan of Broderick & Lane, I avoided this show for a while because it is very much a 1960's musical in style, a period which I am in the minority for not liking. However, when I learned of it's VERY impressive haul at the Tony noms, I had to get it.I won't rehash what everyone else has said here. Only that this show is incredible! I am floored searching for the right words to say.
I will ad that considering this show came out in the same season as, A Class Act, Jane Eyre, The Full Monty, and the dismissed Suessical, the fact that it took in 15 noms is extraordinary. All four of those other shows are excellent.
This has to be Broadway's best year in a long time. What a thrill to get a cast album featuring FIVE nominated Actors and ONE nominated actress. That's right.... The Producers received two nods in the Best Actor category, THREE nods in the Featured Actor category, and one nod in the Featured Actress category. Although, it didn't receive a nomination in the BEST Actress category, the show was nominated in every category it was eligible... it doesn't have a role that qualifies in the Best Actress category.
I will be shell-shocked, eventhough the other three nominated shows are great, if The Producers does not take home Best Musical.
The one downside is I find myself walking around singing:
Don't be stupid, Be a smarty, Come and join, The Nazi Party.
or
It's springtime for Hitler and Germany, Winter for Poland and France.
:)