Stars will leave ‘Producers’ April 4

No replacements named yet for Lane, Broderick

updated 11:00 a.m. ET March 4, 2004

NEW YORK - They’re still looking.

No replacements have been named yet for Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in “The Producers,” but the two stars definitely will leave the hit Broadway musical April 4.

The producers of “The Producers” declined comment Thursday, although John Barlow, a spokesman for the show, said casting is proceeding and when the new performers are signed, they will be announced.

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Since the two stars rejoined the Mel Brooks musical Dec. 30, the show, which had faltered a bit at the box office, has bounced back to sold-out status. It is doing boffo business during what is generally regarded as the leanest time of the year for ticket sales. Last week, for example, the musical grossed more than $1.3 million, the highest gross on Broadway.

Several names have been mentioned to replace Lane as rapscallion producer Max Bialystock, including Kelsey Grammer of television’s “Frasier.” Grammer, however, decided to do a television movie instead. The producers reportedly were also talking to comedian Jon Lovitz, a former regular on “Saturday Night Live.”