The Producers review

The Producers
At the Ford Center for the Performing Arts

"The Producers" opened on Broadway in 2000 to the wildest rave reviews a musical comedy has seen in the history of Broadway theatre. It won a record 12 Tony Awards in June of that year. The Mel Brooks smash was based on the movie of the same name with the addition of several characters and sub-plots. I saw a performance by the second national touring company of the show in Chicago in November 2003. It was the first time I had ever seen a musical performed live onstage, and it proved to be a very educational experience.
The Ford Center for the Performing Arts is a huge theatre located in the heart of the Chicago theatre district. It's far larger than most of the Broadway theatres in New York. I noticed right away the huge effect the large performance space has on the production. In the past I have seen only plays performed in close quarters, wher...