It's partly due to the blue-chip presence of stars Lane and Broderick, and director Stroman. And as a bonus, they enjoy beating New York to the punch. Not all Chi tryouts run this smoothly. Insiders report a lively and creative atmosphere, with Lane's improvisations and contributions revving up the manic comedy. It hasn't been a perfect tryout, of course.
Some viewers gripe that the show's too long, but that's a frequent complaint for shows in preview.
And, in the long term, there's the question of the show's ongoing viability without its big names. Much of the Chi interest, and the boffo B.O., can be attributed to Lane and Broderick. The star wattage certainly went a long way toward assuaging initial audience worries over whether the piece would be funny without Wilder and Mostel. Producer Frankel said last week that no decision had been made as to whether one or both of the thesps would eventually tour, though it seems unlikely in the near term. And the show's potential bookers for the road were already muttering off the record that the piece might not deliver in the hinterlands with nobodies in the leads.