The long awaited Mel Brooks zany, over the top, wonderfully tasteless comedy “The Producers” has arrived at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse courtesy of the South Valley Civic Theater. This is the most irreverent tribute to musical theatre ever produced. Just when you think it can’t get any more outrageous … it gets more outrageous. It hits on every race, creed, ethnic group and gender and no one is left out. You find yourself laughing hysterically at material you would never consider laughing at or even thinking about.
This production on Broadway broke records by winning 12 Tony Awards in just about every category offered.
Based on the original 1968 Brooks movie starring Zero Mostel and Gene Hackman, “The Producers” must be made up of all the censored outtakes Brooks couldn’t use in the movie. Somehow it works.
From Myra Kaelin’s fast moving direction and Jyovonne Montosa’s wild chorography, this show moves at an amazing pace. With a backup group of Nazi cooing pigeons to little old ladies tap dancing with walkers and stealing the show, the shtick never stops until the final curtain.
The Max Bialystock role (Peter Mandel) is demanding and physical. He is in just about every scene and gives the part a grating edge
and energy.
Steven Zbin gives the Bloom role a bump in the right direction and gives the mousy bookkeeper trying to turn producer a heads up with good timing.
Bialystock and Bloom decide to produce a flop so they won’t have to pay off backers—little old ladies whom Bialystock woos out of their life savings. They find “Springtime for Hitler,” the most offensive play possible, and hire the worst director possible played by Chris Sousa. He plays the drag queen director Roger De Bris to its campy hilt. Blake Dieda comes across as his assistant, and Carmen Ghia with the persistence of a runaway train turned gay.
Krista Warner makes Ulla hers alone. She is the Swedish, extremely well built sexy blonde secretary. Chris Goller as Franz Liebkind the German playwright and pigeon keeper delivers some of the best scenes.
The “Springtime for Hitler” extravaganza production number gathers every piece of politically incorrect camp that can be found and unabashedly flings it at you with glittered swastika armbands, showgirls in costumes decorated with everything from beer steins, pretzels and wieners to a take off of Judy Garland. Nothing is left out that will insult or make for cringing, but somehow, as I said, it works. This is one of the most outrageously entertaining musical numbers that is completely off the wall.
“The Producers” is a hoot. Musical Director Carol Harris keeps everyone on cue with her reliable conducting. The show is guaranteed to make you laugh.
By the way, this is definitely an adult friendly show. Don’t bring the kids.
‘The Producers’
Where: Morgan Hill Community Playhouse
5th & Monterey St., Morgan Hill
When: Weekends through Aug. 2 (Fri., Sat., Sun.)
Tickets: $20
For reservations, show times call (408) 842-SHOW or svct.org.
