'Producers' Sets Record

By Stephen M. Silverman

03/30/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

"The Producers," Mel Brooks's new Broadway musical version of his own 1968 movie of the same name, has not only has taken ticket-buyers by storm but Tony nominators, too. On Monday, the show received a record 15 nominations, including those for stars Nathan Lane (considered a shoo-in) and Matthew Broderick, and as best musical (another shoo-in). Since it opened last month, the show, which spoofs show biz and Adolf Hitler, has sparked a scramble for seats the likes of which has not been seen since 1998's ticket-buying frenzy for "The Lion King" and, generations ago, for "My Fair Lady" and "Hello, Dolly!" In the Tony race, the nearest competitors to "The Producers" were "The Full Monty" (10 nominations) and a new revival of 1980's "42nd Street" (nine). The heavily hyped "Seussical the Musical" got only one. The Tonys, considered Broadway's Oscars, will be handed out June 3.