Broderick, Lane Depart 'The Producers'
Tearful Farewell After Almost 1 Year In Hit Show
POSTED: 4:54 p.m. EST March 18, 2002
UPDATED: 5:10 p.m. EST March 18, 2002
Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane played their final performances Sunday as they said farewell to their original roles in Broadway's "The Producers."
The musical opened in April 19, 2001, and is the most difficult ticket to nab on Broadway.
The roles of Max Bialtystock and Leo Bloom will be played by English actor Henry Goodman and television star Steven ("Wings") Weber.
Director Susan Stroman left the door open for Lane and Broderick to return.
"I wish you all the best with the other things you're going to do, but when you get done with the film and television folk, you need to come back where you belong," she told the pair during a tearful curtain call at the St. James Theatre.
Each actor received a bouquet of red roses from Stroman.
Both actors already have upcoming projects. Lane will star in an upcoming series on CBS, while Broderick will appear in a TV version of the musical "The Music Man" slated for ABC.
"The Producers" is based on Mel Brooks' 1968 movie with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.
The story follows the scam of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and mousy accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick) to raise more money they need for a Broadway show, only to pocket the difference.
The musical won a 2001 Tony Award for Best Musical. Broderick was nominated and competed against Lane for a Tony Award, but Lane took home the Tony. The show itself won 12 Tony Awards last June.
The departure of Lane and Broderick has not hurt ticket sales; the show is still sold-out for months. Goodman and Weber have nine-month contracts for "The Producers."
The musical opened in April 19, 2001, and is the most difficult ticket to nab on Broadway.
The roles of Max Bialtystock and Leo Bloom will be played by English actor Henry Goodman and television star Steven ("Wings") Weber.
Director Susan Stroman left the door open for Lane and Broderick to return.
"I wish you all the best with the other things you're going to do, but when you get done with the film and television folk, you need to come back where you belong," she told the pair during a tearful curtain call at the St. James Theatre.
Each actor received a bouquet of red roses from Stroman.
Both actors already have upcoming projects. Lane will star in an upcoming series on CBS, while Broderick will appear in a TV version of the musical "The Music Man" slated for ABC.
"The Producers" is based on Mel Brooks' 1968 movie with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.
The story follows the scam of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and mousy accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick) to raise more money they need for a Broadway show, only to pocket the difference.
The musical won a 2001 Tony Award for Best Musical. Broderick was nominated and competed against Lane for a Tony Award, but Lane took home the Tony. The show itself won 12 Tony Awards last June.
The departure of Lane and Broderick has not hurt ticket sales; the show is still sold-out for months. Goodman and Weber have nine-month contracts for "The Producers."
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