Photo by Billy Bustamante; The company of ‘The Producers’
When speaking with a friend about going to see The Producers last weekend, he mentioned that back in 2001 when the show opened, it was like the Hamilton of its day. Tickets were impossible to get and they sold at a very high amount of money. It won a record 12 Tony Awards which was one more than Hamilton won this year!
The Broadway production completed its run in 2007. However, there are many people who did not get to see it during the time it was on Broadway. If you are one of those people, go over to the Paper Mill Playhouse between now and October 23rd and you will get to see a production of the show that is as close to a Broadway version as any will be.
The show is big and bold and it delivers a lot of entertainment for theater goers to enjoy.
The Paper Mill’s production is directed by Don Stephenson (who played Leo Bloom on Broadway) and choreographed by Bill Burns. The Producers features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and the original Broadway direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.
Photo by Jerry Dalia; From left to right: Michael Kostroff (Max) and Madeleine Doherty (Hold-me Touch-me).
The story is about a Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, whose luck has run out. His years of producing flops have taken every penny he has. He has a group of old ladies he goes to for investment money and a cabinet filled with photos of shows they can invest in. When his accountant, Leo Bloom, comes to audit his books after his latest flop, he casually mentions that someone could make more money on a show if it was failure than if it was a successful show. Max likes Leo’s idea and entices him to help him produce the biggest flop of all with the promise of making several million dollars with its failure. It doesn’t take much convincing since Bloom has always had a secret desire to be a producer. They set out to find the worst play ever written. When they find a play written by Franz Liebkind to set the record straight about Hitler, it seems like the perfect vehicle to use to go down in flames. They also set out to find the worst director on Broadway who turns out to be Roger DeBris who is assisted by Carmen Ghia. The only bright spot is the discovery of a Swedish bombshell, Ulla, who is part secretary, part actress, part love interest for Leo. As only a Broadway show can do, “Springtime for Hitler” turns out to be an enormous success and the scheme the two producers dreamed up comes undone. The rest of the show needs to be seen as it is filled with a lot of over the top things that might not be too realistic, but what the heck, this is a Broadway show! And yes, it’s a happy ending as the two producers walk off together.
Photo by Billy Bustamante; The company of The Producers.
The musical numbers play out very well on the Paper Mill Playhouse’s large stage. Under the Musical Direction of James Moore, the orchestra is in full gear to provide well styled music that tells a story. Songs like “I Want to be a Producer” (Leo, Accountants, and ShowGirls), “Keep it Gay” (Roger, Carmen Ghia, Max, Leo, and Production Team) and “Along Came Bialy” (Old Ladies and Max) all had the audience laughing as they were performed.
Leading the company are Michael Kostroff as Max Bialystock and David Josefsberg as Leo Bloom. Both of these men played their parts very well and seemed to become those people. The lovely Ashley Spencer sings and dances in a superb way as Ulla. Kevin Pariseau as Roger De Bris and Mark Price as Carmen Ghia team up to portray a gay life style with loads of flair, and John Treacy Egan as Franz Liebkind is one remarkable non-reformed Nazi.
Rounding out the amazing ensemble are: Jacob ben Widmar, Michael Biren, Courtney Brady, Tim Capodice, Jesse Carrey-Beaver, Scott Cote, Madeleine Doherty, Hannah Flam, Brad Frenette, John Jeffords, Jeffrey Johnson II, Naomi Kakuk, Jenny Laroche, Liz McKendry, Kelly Peterson, Emily Jeanne Phillips, Jessica Sheridan and Kate Wesler.
The show’s Design Team includes: Robin Wagner (Original Scenic Design), David Peterson (Scenic Coordination), William Ivey Long (Original Costume Design), Martha Bromelmeier (Costume Coordination), John Lasiter (Lighting Design), Randy Hansen (Sound Design), Paul Huntley, (Hair & Wig Design), and Angelina Avallone (Makeup Design)
The Producers has humor that pokes fun at a number of groups (old ladies, gays, etc.). One wonders how this show would have done if it were to open in the current social climate where politically correct is sought out and developed very carefully. But the humor is pretty evenly used and it seems pretty harmless. Go see it and have a blast!
Running Time: 2 hours + intermission
Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ
Performances: The show runs eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.
Audio-described performances will be on Saturday, October 22, 2016, and Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 1:30 pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars.
There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 7:00 pm.
Free Audience Enrichment Activities:
Thursdays – September 29, October 6, 13, & 20 all at 6:30 pm – Mezzanine – Conversation Club. Learn more about the show you are about to see, led by members of Paper Mill’s Artistic and Education Departments.
Saturday, October 22 Following Matinee – Orchestra – Q&A with the Cast – Meet the cast and ask actors questions about the show or the role they are portraying.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.