Mel Brooks’ popular hit musical The Producers returns to the Jesters Dinner Theatre on weekends from July 13 – September 30, 2018.
The Jesters first mounted The Producers about four years ago – starring Loren Meaux as down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock and Michael Butler as the nebbishy Leo Bloom. Meaux and Butler reprise their roles in this production, sharing the excellent chemistry and timing which makes them fun to watch.
Loren Meaux as Max Bialystock and Michael Butler as Leo Bloom
The Plot
Young, shy, neurotic accountant Leo Bloom, in going over Bialystock’s financial records for his just-bombed play, Funny Boy, suddenly realizes that, in the right circumstances, a producer could make more money from a failed play than from a hit. If a play fails, backers don’t need to be repaid – no matter how many of them there are. But how to ensure that a play fails? Answer – by producing the worst play ever written, directed by the worst Broadway director ever.
The Production
The Producers is one of those musicals designed to be played over the top – after all it’s all about the theatre. Meaux is appropriately theatrical, Butler as Leo Bloom is appropriately not theatrical, but has a forlorn charm that wins over the audience.
Butler and Meaux are contrasted with the very theatrical Roger DeBris (“couldn’t even direct you to the bathroom”) and his only slightly-less theatrical common law assistant Carmen Ghia.
In his first scene DeBris, clad in a revealing gown (he is anticipating winning Best Costume at that evening’s Choreographer’s Ball) delivers his signature song “Keep it Gay,” with the help of his set, costume, and lighting designers and his choreographer – not to mention Carmen Ghia. It’s always a show-stopper.
The Jesters continues its condition of double-casting roles (except for the two leads).
In the production seen by this reviewer, Adam Thornburg plays Franz Liebkind (“not many people know zis, but the Fuhrer was a terrific dancer”). Thornburgh was last seen on the Jesters stage as the stuffy English lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes. He relishes his role as the half-crazed fugitive Nazi who wishes to clear the Fuhrer’s name in his play Springtime for Hitler.
Danny Bohnen (Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) played the flamboyant Roger Debris. In other performances over the course of this run he may – or may not – be seen as Franz Liebkind, with Scott Moore playing Roger DeBris.
This particular case of double-casting presents benefits – if you want to see how the same actor interprets two very different roles in the production within the space of a week or so.
Hailey Ewing played Ulla (Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson) the aspiring Swedish actress who decides that “When You’ve Got It Flaunt It.” It’s a role in which one must be innocent as well as appreciative of one’s own charms. Ulla and Leo must be believable together and have their own chemistry – Ewing and Butler deliver.
The ensemble cast is high energy and the choreography keeps the action moving ahead, so there’s plenty of laughs and lots of enjoyment produced in The Producers. (Forgive the pun.)
The Food
The Jesters Dinner Theatre offers the following entrees included in the ticket price:
Chicken cordon bleu Chipotle pork loin Chicken or salmon salad Extraordinary berry salad or cheese tortellini. Entrees with a surcharge are Filetof salmon, Fantail shrimp or prime rib.
The children’s menu includes: Mini corn dogs chicken tenders or cheese or pepperoni pizza. Appetizers dessert and beverages, except water of course are extra.
The chicken cordon bleu with a bearnaise sauce.
Cheese tortellini
The Company
- Max Bialystock – Loren Meaux
- Leo Bloom – Michael Butler
- Franz Liebkind – Danny Bohnen or Adam Thornburg
- Roger Debris – Scott Moore or Danny Bohnen
- Carmen Ghia – Scotty Bohnen or Josh Lostroh
- Ulla – Eve Rodriguez Hailey Ewing or Amanda-Rae Glick
- BumMr. Marks/Jason/Judge/Guard – Steve Byrne
- Scott/O’Riley/Donald – Stefan Clifford or Christian Ruiz
- Kevin Rolf – Pat Massengill or Christian Ruiz
- Bryan/Sargeant – Chuck Glidewell
- Jack/O’Houlihan/Bailiff – Mike James or Adam Thornburg
- Hold Me-Touvh Me – Ann Massengill or Deanna Young
- Lick Me-Bite Me – Ria Hill Jenny Dunn or Kathy Timme
- Kiss Me-Feel Me – Amber Clifford Ria Hillor Deborah Whitcomb
- Chorus – Summer Cushman Paige Dunn, Alex Colin, Cailyn Long, and Madeline Whitcomb
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The Creative Team
- Produced and directed by Mary Lou and Scott Moore
- Music direction by Mary Lou Moore
- Costumes by Lize Bohnen and Mary Lou Moore
- Scenic painting by Angie Cape and Cindy Cochenour
- Choerography by Lize Bohnen
