Universal Pictures has launched the web site for the film of The Producers at www.theproducersmovie.com. The Flash-filled web site contains soundclips, ticketing information, videos, story information, production notes, and hilarious treats for fans including Bialystock movie posters, downloadable screensavers, wallpapers, icons and more.
The Producers, which will be released by Universal Pictures, will star its original bonanza team of Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock and Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom, Max' partner in theatrical crime. Based on the classic 1968
comedy-with music, The Producers finds Leo and Max in search of the
show that most has "flop" written all over on it (they choose Springtime for Hitler,
of course). Once the show bombs, they can pocket the money to Rio, but
they don't pause to wonder...what if the flop is a hit? The film will
feature a new song--"There's Nothing Like a Show on Broadway"--by Mel
Brooks; it will be played over the end credits.Joining Lane and Broderick in the film will be original stars Gary Beach as director Roger De Bris and Roger Bart
as his slinky assistant Carmen Ghia, as well as Uma Thurman as Swedish
sexpot Ulla and Will Ferrell as Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind. Debra Monk and Andrea Martin will play two Little Old Lady Investors, and John Barrowman, Brad Oscar (who has played both Liebkind and Bialystock on Broadway) and Jon Lovitz also have small roles in the film.
As with the Broadway musical, The Producers will feature a score by Brooks and a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. It will also be directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman
once again; she is making her feature film debut. All won Tonys for the
show, which swept the Tony Awards in 2001 and won 12 awards, including
Best Musical. Currently starring Oscar as Max and Hunter Foster as Leo, The Producers
has so far chalked up a run of almost 1800 performances. It opened at
the St. James Theatre (246 W. 44th St.) on April 19th, 2001. The Producers also features costumes by William Ivey Long,
sets by Robin Wagner, and lighting by Peter Kaczorowski, as well as
musical direction by Patrick S. Brady and orchestrations by Douglas
Besterman.
