Michael Crawford has suffered a crushing blow - he has been turned down for the lead role in the West End version of Broadway's hit musical The Producers because, it is claimed, he's 'not funny enough' for the part.
Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman met with Crawford in New York but apparently deemed him 'unfunny'. Maybe it's a cultural difference thing. The backers of the London production urged Brooks and Stroman to see Crawford after first choice Robert Lindsay decided not to do the show.
The London executives consider Crawford a box office draw, but in New York it's a different story. Once a luminous presence on Broadway thanks to Phantom of the Opera, Crawford couldn't get arrested with his last show there, Dance of the Vampires, which - unlike The Producers' spoof play Springtime for Hitler - bombed big time.
Crawford's friends are putting it about that he turned down The Producers because he didn't want to work with comedian Lee Evans, who has already agreed to play the other main part.
Crawford, it is being said, felt that Evans' comic style was too similar to his own.
However, the word from across the Atlantic is that they said 'no thanks' to Crawford.
The show will still go on. Rehearsals start in July and the production will open next autumn at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, following the transfer of the National Theatre's exuberant Anything Goes.
My guess is that The Producers original stage star, Nathan Lane, will re-create the part of Max Bialystock in London if they can't find a British 'name' to play the role.
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The guy who wrote the article, Baz Bamigboye, is giving The Producers SO much press at the moment, literally every week or every other week his top story is about who will play who in The Producers. It's getting kinda boring.. He must really love the show and therefore wants it to be a hit in London. With all the dross London is pouring out at the moment, we really need a hit like this so I do respect him for that.
No biggie. Either way–he turned the job down–they turned him down. How many job interviews have you been on that happened the same way? It’s all part of the process. He’ll just find something else. When one door closes–another opens...
UM, gee thanks.. I know I look 12 in teh pic, but that is the beauty od good lighting. I maybe 20, but I do know a bit about theatre people from when I was a tot and before I was born.... after all, Broadway didn't start with Cats, Les Miz, and Phantom.. and I have had exposure to Crawford's work. And I will say again.. he is past his prime. he is not teh performer he once was and I have just as much right to say that as anyone on this board. Thank you.. moving on....
Let me also clarify that my member name here in no way endorses, praises, or implies any admiration for Phantom of the Opera, it's so-called composer, or it's washed up star. Thank you
The Michael Crawford who brought POTO to life no longer exists, he's been replaced by someone who has spent too much time reading his own press and embracing a "Vegas" performing style, not to mention munching on countless "HobNobs"....tis a pity he's a bore.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene
I saw Michael Crawford in Phantom, and in Dance of the Vampires and enjoyed him in both. I also know several people that have worked with him over the years, and I can tell you for a fact that he's a kind, gratious man who's earned every bit of that press through very hard work. I hope he finds another project soon.
You enjoyed him in both? That means NOTHING. I saw britney Spears's concert on HBO and I enjoyed it.. her lip-syncing was atrocious and among many other things, I was waiting for the teenage boys to start stuffing dollars in her g-string (especially when her top almost came off).. it was horrible beyond words, but I still enjoyed it. I have rarely laughed that hard.
I don't think we'll see Mr. Crawford in anything in the near future on a theatrical stage, he has sqaundered his once good name with the horror of DOTV and his falling out with Sir Andrew has made certain he'll never play the role of the Phantom again.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene
"The Michael Crawford who brought POTO to life no longer exists, he's been replaced by someone who has spent too much time reading his own press and embracing a "Vegas" performing style, not to mention munching on countless "HobNobs"....tis a pity he's a bore. "
I think that you might be wrong although I was disappointed by his performance and appearance in Dance of the Vampires (not in the singing). Even if his ego was a huge as some think, it must have taken a serious deflation in the failure of the show. I'm no where nearly as sure of my opinions about something I know about only indirectly as the naysayers are. I think he might have another good show in him---if he can get one.
"I don't think we'll see Mr. Crawford in anything in the near future on a theatrical stage, he has sqaundered his once good name with the horror of DOTV and his falling out with Sir Andrew has made certain he'll never play the role of the Phantom again. "
I'm afraid that you could be right about this matter, and I'm sorry, unlike some who are clapping their hands in glee whether or not they have actually seen or heard him in anything (not you, shakeela. I know that you have).
I don't think that we'll see Michael do Phantom again, but I do know that the rumors of a huge fall-out with Lloyd Webber are false. They've had some disagreements over the years (some big ones too) but are still in touch with one another, and there's no animosity on either side. I also know people that have worked with Michael on his most recent concert tour and they came away with a great level of working and personal respect for him. Sure Dance of the Vampires flopped, but give the man a break.
babyface I can say with first hand knowledge that things between them are chilly at best and they haven't been the same since Michael Crawford said no regarding performing at ALW's 50th birthday celebration.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene
It's so easy to sit back behind your little computer and judge and criticize others isn't it. I'm interested in hearing about the specific experience and training you have that could help us take your ignorant remarks seriously.