Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
tourboi
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/15/05
#1Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/20/06 at 10:23pm
I've seen THE PRODUCERS four times now. The first, with the brilliant Nathan Lane. Then with understudies for both Nathan and Matthew, and thirdly the (sadly) bland Toronto production, where the only bright spot was MIchael Therriault.
I swore I would never have a reason to revisit this show. I have never found it particularly hillarious (it does have a few laugh moments for me). I don't love the score. It just didn't seem like it deserved the hype or Tony's (even with Nathan).
Last night I got offered tickets to see Tony, and so I went. More out of curiosity to see Mr. Danza in a musical.
He's not horrible.
His pacing seemed really slow at times, which killed some jokes, but I think he'll grow into it more and get more comfortable. His singing was more a speak-singing, which was okay but not spectacular. He does have charisma, but I think thats a problem. He's too NICE as Max. There's no edge. Betrayed didnt scream of, well, betrayal. That said...he keeps up with the choreography well enough, and hes not boring (like Sean Cullen in Toronto, or the understudy I saw). He's not bad, he's not great. He's okay. But, he will (I think) sell tickets. I would be interested to see him on Broadway again in a role more suited to him (Billy Flynn?). I also had a hard time believing someone so obviously italian would have the last name Bialystock.
The Roger DeBris (LeRoy Rymes) was good, but I missed Gary Beach. Brad Musgrove was perhaps the only Carmine Ghia to improve on Roger Bart.
Speaking of Bart...he owns this show. It was the Roger Bart show with guest appearence by Tony Danza. The man is a genious. He makes all Leos before him pale.
The real problem with THE PRODUCERS right now? The ensemble. Tired. Tired. Tired.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#2re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/21/06 at 2:28pmthis show, and phantom, are like cockroachs. they just won't die. and they need to.
#2re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/22/06 at 2:08amUpdated On: 12/22/06 at 02:08 AM
McFrenzied
Stand-by Joined: 10/8/06
#3re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/22/06 at 2:11amKQuill, are you twelve??
#4re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/22/06 at 9:47amThank you for this review and giving him a chance. I adore THE PRODUCERS and like Tony, so the comng together of the two is a great thing. I wish him well!
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
Mamie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/26/04
#5re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/22/06 at 10:06am
I'm glad to hear that he was as good as he was, this early in his appearances. I hope his name is able to sell enough tickets to keep this show open for a while longer.
It's interesting that you felt that the ensemble was tired while another reviewer thought that they were one of the strong points of the production. It may be a matter of personal interpretation or (more likely) you just got them on a 'down' night.
www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#6re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/22/06 at 10:35am
I've seen the show twice with Nathan Lane, once with Jason Alexander, and once with Brad Oscar. I went back to see Tony Danza.
That said, he wasn't the best Max and certainly wasn't the worst.
My thoughts:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=920450#2698920
#7re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/29/06 at 3:47pmI've seen this show more times than any single person should. It is the reason why I am broke and it introduced me to many of my favorite broadway actors. I've seen many, if not most of the casts. I haven't seen Danza yet, but I'm going with an open mind. I'll give him a chance. But I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Roger Bart as Leo Bloom again. He's a wonderful Leo.
We were fated to be mated. We're Bialystock & Bloom!
Kitsune
Broadway Star Joined: 12/29/06
#9re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/29/06 at 8:53pm
Longtime lurker throwing in my thoughts here.
I saw Tony Danza at the Wednesday matinee and have to pretty much agree with the consensus: he wasn't great, but he really wasn't that bad either. His singing at times left something to be desired, but he had good stage presence and I thought his humor was fine. Given that some celebrity casting can be truly disastrous I was pleasantly surprised.
Stacey something-or-other, the understudy for Roger Bart was on. I was pretty disappointed at him being out but ended up enjoying the understudy's performance just fine.
I'm only a casual Producers fan (have the OBC recording, seen the movie a couple of times) and don't have much experience with seeing other casts in the Broadway production, but both my mother and myself enjoyed ourselves on Wednesday, if that counts for anything.
#10re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/29/06 at 8:57pmLurker who registered today?
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
Kitsune
Broadway Star Joined: 12/29/06
#11re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/29/06 at 9:02pmLurker who never had something to say before now so never bothered registering :)
#12re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 12/29/06 at 9:08pmNo need to explain yourself, Kitsune.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#13re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:28am
I finally got Danza-ed. Ack. I wish they'd just leave Broadway as it was. The talented actors. Especially for musicals. Actors who CAN sing and dance. I'm glad Danza's bringing in the cash for the show and all, but come on. He sing-talked through 90% of the show, and he stumbled over half of his dialogue. I mean, I understand it's still early in his run, but seriously.. it was kind of pathetic. Although, I agree he wasn't HORRIBLE. I mean, at least his screw ups and such were entertaining. And of course Roger Bart was fantastic, as always.
Just my thoughts. =)
We were fated to be mated. We're Bialystock & Bloom!
#14re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:38am
I like The Producers, but I think everyone has to admit that it had a good run. Just close it already! Let's bring in something new! Even if it is another Mel Brooks musical (Young Frankenstein). But we're all looking forward to that, so I guess it's not that bad of a thing. 
#15re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 3:18amJUST CLOSE ALREADY
"Passion can drive you crazy but is there any other way to live"
lawyerman
Stand-by Joined: 12/21/06
#16re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:02am
i got to see danza tonight in the show, and i have to say- not a real fan of his stuff other than whos the boss reruns when i was growing up, not a huge fan of the show at all- he does a really good job. he talks like tony danza. he fails at some of the lines that were made for a schlocky jewish vaudeville nathan lane type.
but he still really impressed me- having seen some awful awful pop star performances (RENT, Little Shop), Danza did NOT swallow his lines, did NOT sound bad singing at ALL, did NOT provide awkward "uhm what?" moments... he has a decent, if not strong, voice and his comic timing was fine. You could tell Bart was compensating for Danza's weaker vocals by singing loudly but not in a distracting way.
And, aside from the decent voice and fine timing, he was INTO it. Both him and Bart delivered solid, energetic performances (does ANYONE think Broderick ever ever was able to do that?)- and they stood in stark contrast to the general ensemble who seem to be the most tired, bored, blahhh group of people i have ever seen on stage. (Angie Schworer had some choreography mishaps, I think, and the u/s for Roger DeBris was sweating and huffing and puffing so hard I thought he would faint).
anyway ill end the rant- tony danza did a fine job, the audience really appreciated him (couldnt see upstairs, but the orchestra was at least 90% full- another surprise) and i hope the understandably snobby theater world gives tony a chance.
Bialyhoos22
Stand-by Joined: 12/21/05
#17re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 10:39amThanks for your review. I'm anxious to take Tony and Roger in sometime in the next few weeks. I was wondering though who was on for Roger DeBris? Jim Borstelmann or Kevin Ligon?
lawyerman
Stand-by Joined: 12/21/06
#18re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:03am
Jim Borstelman- who had a decent voice but seemed to be struggling stamina-wise at times. Not a big deal though- he did a fine job.
still curious of Angie was supposed to fall flat on her ass during her big dance number with Roger...
LeoBloom2
Stand-by Joined: 9/1/06
#19re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:10am
Wait..Angie fell flat on her ass?
lawyerman
Stand-by Joined: 12/21/06
#20re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:26am
at one point, she and Roger were dancing right in front of the couch- i think during "That Face"- and she fell down.
it happened very quickly , and there was some debate as to whether it was planned or not but I dont think it was. she seemed pretty embarassed.
weird. she did a good job otherwise.
JasonGreen
Understudy Joined: 11/18/04
#21re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:31pmit definitely was not supposed to happen.
LeoBloom2
Stand-by Joined: 9/1/06
#22re: Tony Danza's First in PRODUCERS last night...
Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:43pm
...I love you Angie...
I HATE YOU DANZA!
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