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The Producers
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by Bill Pullinsi
Choreographed by Stacey Flaster
Music Director William A. Underwood
At the Theatre at the Center
1040 Ridge Road
Muster, IN
Call 219-836-3255, www.theatreatthecenter.org
Tickets $36- $40
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 2 pm
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 2:30 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2:30 & 6 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
Through October 19, 2008
Excellent production of “The Producers” a funny musical treat at the Theatre at the Center
Bill Pullinsi’s production of “The Producers” allowed me to ‘get’ more of the humor than other productions I’ve seen. There is so much going on in this nonstop show that it simply overwhelms us. Pullinsi allowed his cast to go all out with the outlandish comedy. Comedy returns to musical comedy with “The Producers.” Mel Brooks is outrageous as he attempts to offend as many people, places, nationalities, genders and institutions as possible. He does it without regard to being ‘politically correct.’ Thank God for Brook’s chutzpah!
Mel Brooks is surely the zaniest comic genius ever, and in the musical version of his hit (1968) movie “The Producers”, we see just how crazy he really is. Who would have thought that a musical with the song “Spring Time for Hitler” would prove to be an all time Broadway classic! The current production at the Theatre at the Center is funny, charming with loads of heart. Michael Mahler and Norm Boucher sang and danced Max and Leo marvelously.
The story concerns Max Bialystock (Norm Bucher) a struggling Broadway producer and Leo Bloom (Michael Mahler) a stage-struck accountant. These two men join forces in order to make megabucks by producing the worst musical ever seen on Broadway. When they receive a script from Franz Liebkind, a ex-nazi storm trooper, which tells the story of Hitler’s rise to power in song and dance, they are convinced that they have found a show that is guaranteed to offend just about everybody.
Mel Brooks incorporates much humor in every movement, every entrance, every costume, and every dance. It is nonstop, in-your-face satire. They try to offend everyone in a shamelessly glorious production. The musical has nazi chickens, dancing storm troopers, dirty old ladies with euphemisms such as “Lick-me Bite-me” and “Hold-me, Touch-me”, a song with the refrain “Don’t be stupid / Be a smarty / Come and join the Nazi party!” And the marvelously scandalous closing number “Spring Time for Hitler”, which sees an outrageously camp Fuhrer (Jamie baron) take center stage. Brooks mocks gays, religion, Jews, many old MGM musical films and other Broadway musicals as he leaves us laughing until we are exhausted. Brooks has no shame, the main ingredient to his genius.
When old-timers tell you, “They don’t make classic Broadway musicals anymore,” tell then to see “The Producers” at the theatre at the Center in Munster. As pure vintage as it is, “The Producers” is also pure robust nonstop motion. The laughs are furious, the physicality of the principals never ending and the musical numbers keep coming. This is fun stuff!
The shows rests upon who plays Max and Leo, especially after Nathan Lane indelibly established Max as a pure comedic figure and Matthew Broderick gave Leo a likable squeamishness. Norm Bucher’s energy, physicality, comedic timing combine with his terrific voice to make Max a lovable scoundrel. Boucher makes Max his own and he is hilarious as the devilishly vociferous producer. Michael Mahler establishes his Leo Bloom as a sweet, neurotic nerd. Mahler is funny, can dance and knows how to sell a comedic bit. Norm Boucher and Michael Mahler deliver two excellent, exuberant performances. Their chemistry and fine singing give depth and polish to the hilarious characters.
I liked Sean Fortunato as Franz Liebkind, the nazi playwright. Fortunato is a Chicago treasure whose comic instincts are excellent. Jamie Baron as the gay director Roger De Bris is ideal and funny. Chris Walsh steals his scenes as the flamboyant Carmen Ghia. Laura E. Taylor as Ulla was more that just a beauty with legs to kill for, she sang well. The ensemble danced and sang as fine as any you’ll see under Stacey Flaster’s creative choreography.
Theatre at the Center’s production of “The Producers” has the look, feel and over-the-top tone that rivals any national tour I’ve seen. At $36 - $40 per ticket, it only costs about half of the tour cost per ticket.
“The Producers” has everything a classic Broadway musical comedy should have to be considered “great:” A clever book, laughs galore, outstanding score, fine sets, gorgeous lighting, interesting colorful costumes with cute girls and boys, a fine orchestra (music direction by William A. Underwood) with a fine sound. And, of course, two excellent lead characters that anchor the show. Nice work here.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2008
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