The Producers may close in Mar ifLane and Boderick do not return to show

It is reported in the New York Post that "Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, The Producers original Leo and Max, still haven't decided whether they're going to go back into The Producers,' much to the dismay of the show's cast and crew, who have been told that the show will close in March if they don't."

According to the report Nathan Lane is willing, but Matthew Boderick fears "that the critics, who savaged him in 'The Odd Couple,' will take some more swipes at him in 'The Producers'." Boderick is also reported to be concerned that if the return of himself and Lane does not sell-out the show for it's final months this will be reported by the press "as the end of their once dynamic showbiz partnership."

The report goes on to say that Matthew Boderick is angry at Mel Brook's after Brook's had promised him the starring role in his next musical Young Frankenstein but then went on to audition other actors.

The same report says that Nathan Lane wishes to do the show because of money. He and Boderick will each be paid $200,000 a week for the shows final six weeks (it would close in June), and so is pressuring Boderick to join him on the musical.

The Producers has been weakening at the Box office and for many weeks has only been drawing 50 - 60% house capacity.

The musical currently stars Tony Danza (Max Bialystock), Hunter Foster (Leo Bloom), Lee Roy Reams (Roger DeBris), Brad Musgrove (Carmen Ghia), Bill Nolte (Franz Liebkind) and Angie Schworer (Ulla).

The Producers is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock, and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their "sure-fire" theatrical fiasco?. . . None other than the musical Springtime for Hitler.

The Producers opened at St James Theatre on 19 Apr 2001, following previews from 21 Mar 2001. It is currently booking to 6 May 2007.

The musical opened to excellent reviews, The New York Times wrote "It's fast, fierce, shameless, vulgar and altogether blissful," and the Star-Ledger said "It will split your ribs with mirth." newyorktheatreguide.com wrote "To quote words from 'Spring Time for Hitler', the audience is sure to leave the theatre feeling �Happy and Gay�."

The Producers is the recipient of the most Tony Awards in theater history (with 12 wins).

The Producers has a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The set design is by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound design by Steve Kennedy.

The musical is produced by Rocco Landesman, Live Nation, 'The Frankel, Baruch, Viertel and Routh Group', Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Rick Steiner, Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks, in association with James D. Stern and Douglas Meyer and by special arrangement with StudioCanal.

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Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick