Praise for A Year with The Producers: One Actor's Exhausting (But Worth it) Journey from Cats to Mel Brooks Mega-Hit

This is a well-written and well-edited production diary of the Broadway hit...

It's a peculiarly magnetic read, like any diary. We get the portraits of Mel Brooks, of Nathan Lane, of "Stro" (Susan Stroman) of Matthew Broderick. But the most vivid character is the author himself, basically a sweet-tempered creative man who perfectly captures a kind of wisecracking, optimistic, intellectually astute individual that you often encounter backstage at professional shows...

Who will buy: Anyone who wants to know that it takes to get into a Broadway show, and what being in a Broadway show is really like.

Playbill Online

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"His (Denman's) delivery is breathless, and he keeps the narrative frolicsome. Denman works wonders with atmosphere... (and) his show is always on; no wonder it's hard to take your eyes off him. An enjoyable peek behind the curtain for those with an interest in theater but little actual experience with its production."

Kirkus Reviews

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" ...a revealing backstage diary of a legend in the making. Denman is a good writer with a keen wit."

Rex Reed, Show People

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From the foreword:
"Jeff Denman had the good idea of keeping a journal - something many of us wish we had done.... Reading Jeff's account of how The Producers got put together I'm reminded of what is too easy to forget.... So much effort goes into a routine we try to make the audience think is second nature. If you read what Jeff has to say about a few seconds on stage as FDR, you'll see what I mean. All big shows work this way. The Producers is no exception."

Matthew Broderick

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Since opening on Broadway last April, The Producers has been the hottest show in town. We've seen the stars of the show at the Tony awards, on their PBS special, and - for the lucky few with tickets - on stage at the St. James Theatre. But Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick are not the only actors in this hit show. What's The Producers like for the rest of the cast? Based on his almost-daily journal entries, ensemble member and understudy for Matthew Broderick, Jeffry Denman shows us The Producers: not from the star's perspective, but rather from the chorus.

A Year with The Producers takes us backstage - and into rehearsal halls, and even on stage - with Jeffry Denman and the rest of the cast. From the closing night of Cats (he played Munkustrap) to a chance to go on for three nights in Broderick's role as the neurotic accountant Leo Bloom, Denman leads us through one amazing year in one actor's life. We find out what song he used for his audition (would you believe a number from South Park?); we see how a small part as FDR gets refined and revised umpteen times; and we experience the thrill of taking part in the best new show of the year.

DENMAN'S book is for anyone who's dreamed of making it on Broadway; or wonders what it's like to step on stage; he shows us how he worked to make Mel Brooks laugh, and what it felt like to work with famed director like Susan Stroman. There's a lot of laughter, hard work and a look at the camaraderie of a cast and crew. Just what makes a show like The Producers become the biggest hit on Broadway? Read A Year with The Producers and you'll know!

A Year with The Producers: One Actor's Exhausting (But Worth it) Journey from Cats to Mel Brooks Mega-Hit available from Routledge.

Jeffry is available to discuss the book for feature articles and interviews as well as book readings/signings. Please contact Patty Garcia for further information.