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Creative

Where’s That Cast Now? The Producers Edition

Mel Brooks’s musical comedy, which held the record for the most Tony Awards ever received by a single production for 15 years (in 2016, Hamilton tied with 12 Tony Awards), opened on Broadway in 2001. The musical, based on Brooks’s 1967 Oscar-winning film, which constantly broke box-office records at the St. James Theatre, ran for 6 years and was adapted into the 2005 hit film of the same name. Come with Broadway’s Best Shows as we look into the careers of the original Broadway cast since their departures from the show.  

Nathan Lane (Max Bialystock)

After his Tony Award-winning performance in The Producers, Nathan Lane has continued to be a prominent figure in entertainment. On Broadway, Lane has appeared in The Odd Couple (Alongside Matthew Broderick), Butley, November, Waiting for Godot, The Addams Family, The Nance, It’s Only a Play, The Front Page, Angels in America (Tony Award Win), Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, and Pictures From Home. He has appeared in TV shows like “Only Murders in the Building”, “Modern Family”, “The Good Wife”, “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”, and “Gilded Age.” On Film, Lane has been in the A24’s “Beau is Afraid” and “Dicks: The Musical.” 

In 2006, Lane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008. 

The Producers" at Arizona Broadway Theatre
Photo by Paul Kolnik

Matthew Broderick (Leo Bloom)

Broderick has remained an active entertainer since his acclaimed run as Leo Bloom. He starred in the 2005 movie adaptation of the musical alongside Nathan Lane. On Broadway, Broderick has starred in The Odd Couple (with Nathan Lane), It’s Only a Play (also with Nathan Lane), The Philanthropist, Nice Work If You Can Get It with Kelli O’Hara, Sylvia with Annaliegh Ashford, and most recently, Plaza Suite alongside his wife, Sarah Jessica Parker. He appeared in TV series like “Better Things”, “30 Rock”, “Bojack Horseman”, “Rick and Morty”, and “Modern Family”, and did voice work in the films “The Lion King 1½”, “Good Boy!”, “Bee Movie”, and “The Tale of Despereaux.” In 2006, Broderick also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has also been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. 

Gary Beach (Roger De Bris)

After his Tony-winning performance as Roger De Bris, Beach starred as Albin in the 2004 Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles, as well as the 2006 Broadway revival of Les Misérables. Beach also starred alongside Lane and Broderick in the 2005 film adaptation of the musical.

Unfortunately, Gary Beach passed away in 2018.

Gary Beach, Tony Winner for 'The Producers,' Dies at 70 - The New York Times
Photo by Paul Kolnik

Cady Huffman (Ulla)

Since The Producers, Cady Huffman continued her career in theater and appeared in various productions, including alongside Nathan Lane in the Broadway play The Nance. She has also had appearances in the TV series “The Good Wife”, “Frasier”, and “One Life To Live.” Huffman was a regular judge on Food Network’s competition show, “Iron Chef America.”

Roger Bart (Carmen Ghia)

Following his departure from the show, Bart returned in 2004 as a replacement for Leo Bloom. Bart’s other Broadway appearances since The Producers include Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs, as Dr. Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein, Disaster!, and currently Back to the Future: The Musical at the Winter Garden Theatre. Bart has had TV appearances in “The Blacklist”, “The Good Fight”, “Grace and Frankie”, “Modern Family”, “How I Met Your Mother”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “30 Rock”, and many more. Bart has a cameo in the 2021 film adaptation of Tick, Tick… Boom!

Brad Oscar (Franz Liebkind)

After his successful run as Franz Liebkind, Oscar replaced Lane as Bialystock.  In 2008, Oscar returned to Broadway as Sir Bedevere in Spamalot, and has since appeared in The Addams Family, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Big Fish, Something Rotten!, and Mrs. Doubtfire. Recently, Oscar was a replacement in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. Oscar has had appearances in TV series including “Law & Order”, “The Good Wife”, and “Smash.”

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Broadway's Best

Broadway’s Best Touring Shows

While “Broadway” refers to a specific set of Tony-eligible theatres located in midtown Manhattan, the term is metonymic of an entire industry. To theatergoers around the country and world, “Broadway” translates to high-quality musicals and plays performed by world-class artists; overall top-notch theatre. 

Since not everyone can make it to New York City, the magic of Broadway is brought to audiences across North America through touring productions. With the holidays approaching, these special productions can also serve as great family activities, or even just a great gift for your theatre-loving-loved-ones. Here’s a glimpse into some of Broadway’s best touring shows that are currently captivating audiences from coast to coast (and beyond).

Beetlejuice

Based on Tim Burton’s iconic film, Beetlejuice brings the afterlife to the stage with humor, irreverence, and spectacular special effects. After two Broadway runs, pre- and post-shutdown, the show has gone out across the country, where it continues to make headlines, both for what’s happening onstage and off…

The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King continues its reign as a theatrical masterpiece, both on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre and in touring houses all over. Since opening on Broadway in 1997 and launching its first tour in 2002, the modern classic has had several national and international tour companies bringing Simba’s story far and wide. The latest tour launched in 2017 and is still going strong, with dates scheduled through summer 2024.

The Wiz

Ease on down the road with The Wiz, a soulful and energetic retelling of “The Wizard of Oz.” Set to hit Broadway in spring 2024 with Schele Williams at the helm and Wayne Brady in the title role following the tour, this production promises to bring a fresh and vibrant perspective to the beloved tale.

Mamma Mia

ABBA’s hits take center stage in Mamma Mia, now back on the road celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. Since opening on Broadway in 2001, the jukebox musical has had many touring and international engagements, as well as two film installments (to date), becoming a global cultural phenomenon. You now have your shot to get in on the fun; the new tour kicked off in Elmira, NY in October 2023 and is scheduled to travel the country through at least summer 2024.

Funny Girl

After a bountiful Broadway run with Lea Michele in the leading role, the revival has hit the road. The classic musical Funny Girl tells the story of Fanny Brice, a legendary Ziegfeld Follies star. With a blend of humor, romance, and unforgettable music, this production showcases the indomitable spirit of a woman who dared to follow her dreams. Michael Mayer’s direction alongside choreography by Ellenore Scott is now on view in theatres around the country.

Wicked

Wicked has cast its spell on audiences for over 20 years as it explores the untold story of the Witches of Oz. This visually stunning production, featuring iconic songs like ‘Defying Gravity,’ ‘Popular,’ ‘For Good,’ and more, continues to captivate with its imaginative storytelling and powerful performances. The tour continues to make stops all over North America, with several international productions having played all over the world over the years. Even more theatre enthusiasts will also get to experience the magic of Wicked when Jon M. Chu’s two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande hits movie theatres in 2024 and 2025.

Company

Britney Coleman leads the cast of this national tour as Bobbie. Following its 2021-2022 Tony-winning Broadway run, this Sondheim revival is traveling the country, with stops scheduled into late summer of 2024. In Marianne Elliot’s updated take on the classic concept musical, Bobbie is a 35-year-old woman reckoning with her love life as well as those of her mostly married friends, and haunted by the pressures of living in 21st century New York City.

Girl From the North Country

Playwright Conor McPherson’s narrative spin on the song catalog of Bob Dylan launched a cross-country tour in October 2023, kicking things off in Minneapolis. The folk musical played two separate engagements at the Belasco Theatre, closing in June 2022. The tour currently has stops scheduled into mid-2024 with more to be announced!

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary musical Hamilton remains a cultural phenomenon. This hip-hop-infused tale of Alexander Hamilton’s life has become a must-see for theater enthusiasts, and good thing then that there are so many opportunities to see it, with as many as three separate touring companies having launched, sometimes playing different ends of the country at the same time.  

Hadestown

Hadestown offers a unique and mesmerizing take on the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus & Eurydice and Hades & Persephone. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical combines folk, jazz, and blues music to sing this “old song” again and again and again. With short stints through the United States on offer until May 2024, don’t miss catching Anaïs Mitchell’s hauntingly beautiful score and lyrics while you can!

Broadway enthusiasts can catch so many more sensational productions currently on tour, including Aladdin, MJ The Musical, To Kill a Mockingbird, Moulin Rouge!, Mrs. Doubtfire, SIX, and more!

Broadway’s best touring shows offer a taste of the magic and excitement that define the New York City theater scene. Whether it’s a timeless classic, a contemporary hit, or a reimagined tale, these productions bring the thrill of Broadway to audiences across North America and around the world. So, grab your tickets, sit back, and let the enchantment unfold in a city near you!

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Creative

What are Broadway’s longest-running shows?

New shows come to town all the time. But there are those long-standing favorites that feel like they just belong in New York City. In our list, we’ll be including the longest-running Broadway shows of a single production – past and present. And you know what they say: only the best Broadway shows have runs like these.

Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart

With an unbelievable 13,981 performances, The Phantom of the Opera easily tops the list. For 36 years it took residence in the Majestic Theater where it ran from January 26 1988 to April 16 2023.

When it first opened, it won seven Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards. It was the first Broadway musical in history to surpass 10,000 performances and has had over 3,500 more performances than the second longest-running Broadway show in history – that’s over eight years of performances! With a record like that, it really is one of the best Broadway shows.

Photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown.

Chicago (1996 revival) by John Kander and Fred Ebb

Chicago’s original 1975 production ran for a respectable 936 performances. But it was its second coming, the 1996 revival, that made it a show everyone knows and loves.

Following a showcase in the City Center Encores! series, Barry and Fran Weissler brought an expanded, revised, and jazzed-up production of the Encores! concert to the Richard Rodgers Theater (the same theater the original production was staged). After rave reviews and six Tony Awards, it was an undeniable hit and had to be moved to the larger Shubert Theater in 1997. It stayed there for seven years until it was moved for a second time to the Ambassadors Theater in 2014 where it still runs today.

So far, it’s had over 10,400 performances and is the longest-running revival in Broadway history.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

The Lion King by Elton John and Tim Rice

The groundbreaking stage adaptation of Disney’s animated film of the same name left both children and adults filled with wonder. Featuring giant puppets and unforgettable songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, The Lion King had audiences stampeding to the theater to watch the incredible show.

It originally opened at the New Amsterdam Theater in 1997 before moving to the Minskoff Theater in 2006. Its current performance count stands at over 10,000 which has resulted in over $1 billion in gross sales making it the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time.

Photo by Mark Senior.

Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman

Leaving other shows green with envy is Wicked – the original musical based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel of the same name. Focusing on the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, the colorful, whimsical, and crowd-pleasing show reframed our preconceptions of the previously hateful character and gave us another perspective.

The original production opened in 2003 at the Gershwin Theater and starred Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel – making both household names. So far, it’s had over 7,500 performances and with a film adaptation starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo coming up, we don’t see it going anywhere for a long time.

Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Based on the 1939 poetry collection by T.S. Eliot, Cats is a sung-through musical about a tribe of cats who are trying to decide which among them will be ascended to the Heaviside Layer before coming back to a new life. The surreal show opened in 1982 and was unlike anything seen on Broadway before. It won seven Tony Awards and a Grammy making it a must-see show.

It opened at the Winter Garden Theater on October 7 1982 where it ran until its close on September 10 2000. It was the first Broadway show to reach over 7,000 performances reaching 7,485 performances when it closed.

It looks as though Cats will happily perch at number five on the list for a while as the next show on the list that’s currently open is The Book of Mormon which sits with 4,400 performances which, again, would take approximately eight years to overtake Cats.