Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#1Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 11:59am
Though not known for musicals, Patrick Marber (a comedian) feels like a great fit for reimagining this show, and casting the right Max might help audiences forget (momentarily) Nathan Lane's performance. Hope it's great!
https://www.theatermania.com/news/the-producers-gets-new-revival-directed-by-tony-winner-patrick-marber_1745758/
There was a conceivable Max & Leo pairing in the U.S. version of Leopoldstadt (David Krumholtz & Brandon Uranowitz), but that seems unlikely for London + scheduling.
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#2Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 12:03pm
Isn’t this such a tiny space for such a large scale musical? Seems interesting.
#3Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 12:08pm
They usually do scaled down revivals, so I'm inclined to hear and see what they do with this.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#4Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 12:08pm
RippedMan said: "Isn’t this such a tiny space for such a large scale musical? Seems interesting."
Yes, but they’ve found success reimagining/scaling down other musicals in the past (Fiddler, Merrily, Funny Girl, The Baker’s Wife, La Cage, Sunday, Night Music) so I won’t be too concerned till we see it.
Will the show work without all the Stroman trappings? We’ll see!
#5Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 12:12pm
When the space is used as a traditional theater setting, it’s a decently sized stage. You can see what that looks like in this video of MERRILY from 2013.
Merrily We Roll Along
#6Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 12:39pm
I’m a big fan of The Producers, but it is kind of hard to imagine it being done well at a smaller scale unless it’s kind of a tongue-in-cheek, deliberately low-budget Dames at Sea vibe.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#7Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 1:25pm
Stroman’s late husband Mike Ockrent was the show’s original director and started creating the show prior to his death. Stroman basically took over as director using his notes and working with everything he had already implemented into the show so she didn’t create the show we know entirely - her initial involvement was solely as the show’s choreographer. This validates why she’s had enormous limitations as a director in projects that came her way after the colossal success of THE PRODUCERS.
#8Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 1:33pm
“Isn’t this such a tiny space for such a large scale musical? Seems interesting”
there’s no reason this show HAS to be big. Thinking about shows solely through the lens of their venues is incredibly limiting and short sighted.
BwayLB
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
#9Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 1:39pm
It it’s any good as that scale down Young Frankeinstein, I’ll see it
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#10Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 1:51pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "Stroman’s late husband Mike Ockrent was the show’s original director and started creating the show prior to his death. Stroman basically took over as director using his notes and working with everything he had already implemented into the show so she didn’tcreate the show we know entirely - her initial involvement was solely as the show’s choreographer. This validates why she’s had enormous limitations as a director in projects that came her way after the colossal success of THE PRODUCERS."
Let's not minimize Stroman's contributions to THE PRODUCERS.
Ockrent died in December 1999, the show didn't begin in Chicago until February 2001. While, naturally, some things may have been set up prior to his death, she still had a significant hand in its design, staging, choreo, development, and writing, and she worked hand in hand with him, Mel, and Meehan while he was undergoing cancer treatment. By all accounts she was basically a co-director when they collaborated together.
A lot of shows have a lot of hands on them. It doesn't really matter who does what as long as the end product is good. (Case in point: Glen Kelly ghost-composing the show under the title of Music Arranger; Jerry Zaks being initially attached as director pre-Ockrent; David Geffen being attached as originating producer pre-Jujamcyn/Frankel).
As to who deserves the "blame" for her recent string of flops... She probably wasn't the right person to direct BIG FISH, and the musical made some bad changes from the movie. PRINCE OF BWAY was Hal's show and vision. NYNY and BULLETS were failed by their books and shoehorned songs. SCOTTSBORO was a noble effort failed by the audience, the economy, and producers who wouldn't give it a chance...and it probably should have had a Black director, choreographer, and co-author. YOUNG FRANK and FROGS probably shouldn't have happened, but she was reuniting with trusted collaborators...hard to say no to them.
#11Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 4:17pm
I believe Ockert died before the first workshops of the show and even before Lane was attached. He may have had a vision for the production, and he may have helped developed the script and left notes, but to imply Stroman did little but follow a recipe her husband left behind is both untrue and rather gross.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 7/23/24 at 04:17 PM
#12Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 4:38pm
I can see Steve Coogan as Max... or no?
Anyway, he'll be busy doing Dr. Strangelove at the time.
Who else?
Joe Lycett would be a good Leo.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#13Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 7:03pm
BwayLB said: "It it’s any good as that scale down Young Frankeinstein, I’ll see it"
Pittsburgh CLO is currently running a very funny six-person Young Frankenstein, and I think it works better than the splashier original.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#14Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/23/24 at 10:25pm
I've always wanted to see Roger Bart take on Max, but that might be too much sweaty yelling. (I also wanted to see Gary Beach try Max, but, alas...)
Would Bertie Carvel come across too mean for Max?
What's Charlie Stemp up to this winter? Leo?
#15Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 5:29pm
Patrick marber said he wanted to work more in nyc after winning for leopolstadt. Of course he does, they all do when the cash starts coming in. I bet their aim is Broadway.
Dolly80
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/11
#16Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 6:02pm
You can all stop stop speculating… they’ve already cast Max- Andy Nyman.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#17Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 6:43pm
Dolly80 said: "You can all stop stop speculating… they’ve already cast Max- Andy Nyman."
Andy Nyman is becoming the new Henry Goodman!
BwayLB
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
#18Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 7:25pm
darquegk said: "BwayLB said: "It it’s any good as that scale down Young Frankeinstein, I’ll see it"
Pittsburgh CLO is currently running a very funny six-person Young Frankenstein, and I think it works better than the splashier original."
I saw a production at La Mirada a while back. YF maintained its ensemble vibe. But the production was more of a vaudeville throwback
Owen22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
#19Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 8:59pm
The Producers never was a great show, despite it's Tony trophies. It's never really worked outside of New York (and without Nathan Lane). Mel's a comic genius, but the writing is just not there. If Jason Alexander and Martin Short couldn't get people into seats in LA....
I think the problem with doing the show at the Menier is that the ONLY marvelous number (stolen from the film) is the Springtime For Hitler number, which needs to be lavish. That's the joke. And that won't happen at the Chocolate Factory.
Andy Nyman is nice casting though. And for those who saw Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, I would love to see Sam Tutty as Leo Bloom.
I will be in London during it's run and with all my above bitching about the show...I will probably still see it.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#20Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/24/24 at 9:37pm
Owen22 said: "I think the problem with doing the show at the Menier is that the ONLY marvelous number (stolen from the film) is the Springtime For Hitler number, which needs to be lavish. That's the joke. And that won't happen at the Chocolate Factory."
SFH can be effective without being opulent, it just needs to be rethought from the Stroman mold. There can be humor in an endearing scrappiness. But the number also needs a great Roger to land it.
#21Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/25/24 at 10:07am
In the original movie, SFH is not especially lavish at all. The Broadway show ratcheted it up substantially when they turned it from a 3 minute-ish number and a couple book scenes into a 10 minute show stopping production number. In fact, I would argue that the musical made SFH too objectively good. Remember, it’s supposed to be tasteless and so bad it’s funny, the result of a bad writer, bad director, and bad actors all bringing their misguided visions together and it inadvertently working as a mockery.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#22Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/25/24 at 10:17am
Sorta like seeing Titanique or Disaster! downtown, or even "the corn musical" Shucked.
You walk in with low-ish expectations, and then come out saying "sh*t, that was way better than expected!"
algy
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/05
#23Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/25/24 at 11:01am
Jordan Catalano said: "When the space is used as a traditional theater setting, it’s a decently sized stage. You can see what that looks like in this video of MERRILY from 2013.
Merrily We Roll Along"
I hate to be that person, but I think that Merrily recording is of the West End Transfer of the Menier Production - and was filmed at the Harold Pinter, not the actual Chocolate Factory. (which I'm off to next week to see The Baker's Wife)
berniesb!tch
Stand-by Joined: 5/23/21
#24Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/25/24 at 4:18pm
I wonder if they would ever "odd couple" this and do it with two women. I'd love to see Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson take a crack at it.
#25Patrick Marber will direct THE PRODUCERS for London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, beginning November 2024
Posted: 7/25/24 at 7:11pm
berniesb!tch said: "I wonder if they would ever "odd couple" this and do it with two women. I'd love to see Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson take a crack at it."
Maxine Bialystock and Leona Bloom
Sounds like a high-powered ladies’ law firm
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