|
|
 |
| Lifestyles
1 :::: Arts :::: Community :::: Bulletin Board :::: Mind/Body/Spirit |
WBT’s ‘The Producers’
lives up to reputation
By Suzanne Rothberg
|
Photos by John Vecchiolla
Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of The Producers is a must-see. Bottom, from the left: Joel Newsome as Leo Bloom, Eric Anderson as Franz Liebkind, and Bob Amaral as Max Bialystock, the scheming Broadway producer.
Fans of Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” from the original 1968 Gene Wilder/Zero Mostel film to the 2001 Tony Award winning Broadway play with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, will love the Westchester Broadway Theater’s production.
The original musical opened at the St. James Theater on April 19, 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances closing six years later. It won 12 Tony Awards and also broke the record for the largest single day box office gross in theater history, taking in more than $3.5 million.
Westchester Broadway Theatre’s version is cleverly produced with spectacular sets, choreography and eye-catching costumes. WBT knows how to put on a show and attract a wide audience and when the lights come up the magic begins.
Bob Amaral plays Max Bialystock, the scheming Broadway producer, and Joel Newsome is Max’s mousy stage struck accountant Leo Bloom. They make for a hilarious comedy team. Karen McNay is adorable as the sexy Swedish blond bombshell, Ulla, who steals Leo’s heart. Eric Anderson is hysterically funny as the Nazi, Franz Liebkind. The cast brought the house down with laughter; the dinner was delicious with an intimate setting and seating filled to capacity.
“The Producers” is a gleefully vulgar play full of corny slapstick, Borscht Belt shtick, ethnic jokes, hummable melodies, opulent musical numbers and vigorous tap dancing.
It all starts when Leo points out that under the right circumstances, a producer could actually make more money from a flop than he could with a hit. The idea is hatched to find the worst play ever written, hire the worst director and the worst actors in New York, raise $2 million from little old ladies willing to invest in a play for a little affection, and when the play closes on opening night, run off to Rio with the money.
The script guaranteed to close in one night is “Spring Time for Hitler, A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden,” written by a nutty Nazi named Franz Liebkind. Roger De Bris, the worst director in New York, agrees to do it, but only if the ending is changed so the Germans end up winning World War II. The scheme seems risky, but anything can happen when the lights go up on Broadway.
“The Producers” opened Aug. 7 and continues its run through Nov.15. It’s directed by David Edwards with musical direction by Leo Carusone. The crew includes choreographer Matthew Vargo, assisted by Sean McKnight; Peter Barbieri does the set designs, Andrew Gmoser is the light designer, Jon Hatton is the sound designer, Matthew Hemesath designed the costumes, Gerard Kelly is the wig/hair designer, and Victor Lukas is the stage manager, assisted by Ruth Zang.
The rest of the cast includes Craig Fols as director Roger De Bris; John West as Carmen Ghia, Roger’s assistant; Delaine Andrzejewski, Jesse Coleman, Amy Griffin, Karen Hyland, John Ryan Jacobs, Sean McKnight, Rob Oullette, Lindsay Packard, Ron Remke, Lara Seibert, Melissa Sybil, Anthony Valbiro, Correy West, Tracy J, Wholf, and Jesse Wildman round out the cast.
Since 1974, WBT in Elmsford has produced Broadway-caliber dinner theater for half the price of a tank of gas, bringing Broadway closer to home.
To purchase tickets, go to www.broadwaytheatre.com or call the box office at (914) 592-2222.
To view the rest of this content please Login.
If you aren’t registered you can Register now, it’s easy and free!
|
|
| Mail
this page to a friend |
Top |
|
