Theater Review: The Producers - be prepared to laugh

THE PRODUCERS; A Mel Brooks Musical

Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

Musical Director / Producer is Dr. Charles Enlow

Director is Jessica Low

Conductor is Bruce Monroe

Choreography by Nick Perry

Shoreline Community College Theater

May 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 2017

Review by Doug Gochanour

Be prepared to laugh and admire this outstanding musical comedy.

Elaborate and fabulous are words that come to mind in describing this production by the Shoreline Community College Drama Program. The singing, dancing, sets, costumes, and all the technical amenities work perfectly together. A wonderful 21-member orchestra provides the accompaniment to enrich the presentation.

The Producers was originally a comedy movie by Mel Brooks in 1968. It was highly acclaimed and served as the basis for his Broadway Musical in 2001. The Musical incorporates many of the humorous situations and jokes, but seems more lively and upbeat. It provides a showcase for this young, extremely talented cast.

Josh Pulley plays Max Bialystock, a Broadway producer with a recent opening night flop. Carson Buck plays Leo Bloom, a timid accountant dreaming of a more exciting life. They discover that it may be possible to make more money with a flop than with a hit.

Springtime for Hitler - a play within a play

Together, Max and Leo plan to find the worst play ever written, hire the worst director, raise two million dollars, hire the worst actors, close opening night on Broadway, take the money and fly to Rio. The result of this adventure is the ludicrous musical Spring Time for Hitler. It is a rollicking musical within this musical.

A love interest is thrown in for good measure. Ariaga Mucek is the voluptuous Ulla, who is able to test the testosterone of both Leo and Max. Will one of them succeed with her?

Will this scheme to oversell interests in a Broadway flop bring the desired outcome?

As well as exaggerating humorous situations, The Producers presents ridiculous caricatures of Nazis, women, homosexuals, and show business professionals in general. It is all done in farcical fun, resulting in a well deserved standing ovation.

There is so much more to enjoy. You should see it for yourself, and you will be glad you did.

Tickets online

Photographers: Kemmathiti Suayrup (204 Photographers) and Brian Behnken (B[squared])