It’s much easier to make a fortune by flopping on stage than putting together a Broadway smash. With that philosophy, what can possibly go wrong? Well, pretty much anything and everything, thanks to the imaginative writing of Mel Brooks in the classic that is The Producers.
Max Bialystock and Leopold Bloom have discovered a sure-fire way to make a fortune on Broadway: raise millions from little old lady investors, produce the worst play in a long history of flops, and then run off with the money when the play closes on opening night. They think they’ve found their play in Springtime for Hitler – but things don’t turn out as planned.
Even more popular than a musical about Adolf Hitler, the story of two shysters trying to make a buck, adapted from the 1968 movie of the same name, won more Tony Awards than any other musical – including Best Book, Best Score, and Best Musical – following its 2001 debut.
Now, The Producers is this summer’s offering from JM Drama, opening Aug. 9 at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener.
Directed by long-time Brooks fan Oliver Pavia, this production relies on all the hallmarks of a Mel Brooks story: quick pacing, jokes that range from subtle to slapstick and impeccable timing. It’s a demanding combination for a community theatre group, especially working within the intimate confines of the Registry Theatre.
“I’m a big fan of Mel Brooks. I was introduced to his movies as a young kid. I’ve always wanted to do one of his stories,” said Pavia. “The Producers has been a musical that I enjoyed and I’ve always wanted to direct it.”
With less than a week until opening night, the cast of 18 is rounding into form, he added, up to the challenge of a large group moving at a manic pace and executing quick changes – there are 500 costume elements, for instance – in a small space.
“That’s the challenge – how can we fit everything in?”
Having figured that out, the theatre company is now ready to tackle pretty much anything in its home space,” he laughed.
The next challenge? “Getting all the Mel Brooks’ jokes just right.”
And there are plenty of laughs, as the show tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer in Bialystock (Kevin White) and Bloom (Gary Abbott), a mousy accountant. Together, with the help of their flamboyant director, Roger DeBris, they hatch the ultimate scam: to raise more money than they need for a certain Broadway flop and pocket the difference. The recipe involves Step 1: We find the worst play ever written. Step 2: We hire the worst director in town. Step 3: We raise $2 million – one for me, one for you. There’s a lot of little old ladies out there! Step 4: We hire the worst actors in New York and open on Broadway and before you can say Step 5: We close on Broadway, take our two million, and go to Rio.
Things go awry (well, even more awry), however, when Springtime for Hitler becomes a smash and the long line of investors – they’ve sold 25,000 per cent of the show – expect to be paid.
In his fourth production with JM Drama, and his first musical as director, Pavia has his hands full keeping everyone on track and on pace as the laughs come early and often.
The JM Drama production of The Producers runs Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18 at the Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St., Kitchener. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25, available at the Centre in the Square box office by calling 578-1570 or toll free 1-800-265-8977 or online at www.centre-square.com.
