Instruct: Classify a review into positive or negative sentiment.
Query: Merely servicable cast recording

Cast recordings can serve the purpose of being a souvenir of a great evening at the theatre. They can also stand alone without the show if the music is great enough. This album is in the former group. Sure, "The Producers" is a great evening's entertainment. It is the best Broadway show to come along in years (because it is out only to entertain rather than be culturally or intellectually important - hello Stephen Sondheim). The music, however, is merely servicable. Except for the centerpiece of "Springtime for Hitler" (written in 1968), there isn't a memorable melody here. Mel Brooks "hunt and peck on the piano" melody lines are given a big Broadway orchestra treatment but that doesn't save them. Don't get me wrong. It all works very competently. But it rarely rises above competence. Anyone looking for great songs will be disappointed. Buy it as a souvenir or as a warm up to actually seeing the show (if you are lucky enough to get tickets).