Second Producers Tour Winds Down in Japan

By: May. 26, 2005
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The two touring companies of The Producers, humorously dubbed Leo and Max, will have raked in a cumulative $222 million as the second tour winds down.

Max, the first company, closed in Philadelphia in January after having launched in the same city in September 2002.  Leo started in the Boston in 2003; the tour will come to its close after it plays Japan in July.  Max and Leo have been on the road for 221 weeks.

While the Broadway production continues to be a cash cow (it's played almost 1,700 performances and has earned over $220 million), the tours' box office intake is considered to have been a slight disappointment in comparison with more family-friendly mega-hits such as the touring companies of Mamma Mia and The Lion King.

A third touring company (perhaps to be named Roger?), was to have kicked off this September, but has now been pushed back to 2006 due to the busy schedules of composer/lyricist Mel Brooks and director/choreographer Susan Stroman.  An upcoming film version starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick--the original Max and Leo--as well as Roger Bart, Gary Beach, Will Ferrell and Uma Thurman has also taken high priority for Producers creators.

The Producers opened at the St. James Theatre on April 19th, 2001.  With a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan based on upon the smash 1968 Brooks film, the spoofy musical swept the Tonys with 12 wins, including Best Musical.


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