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"THE PRODUCERS" BRINGS THE FUNNY TO SIMI VALLEY
By Jeffrey Harris
The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center production of the most awarded Broadway show of all time, The Producers rocks out with enthusiasm and energy.
The Producers originated in 1968 as a movie directed by the incomparable Mel Brooks, starring Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock and Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. Max is a failing Broadway producer of former glory now forced to sexually entertain old ladies in order to keep him afloat. Leo Bloom is Max's would be accountant who dreams of becoming a Broadway producer. Ultimately, the odd couple teams up to attempt to produce the worst Broadway stage flop of all time. In a glorious ponzi scheme, Max and Leo raise a ton of money, use a small amount to pay for the show, and then cook the books so they take home the lion's share. Thus embarks the production of Springtime for Hitler -- surely the makings of a tremendous audience flop. The Producers is considered Brooks' magnum opus of cinema. In the 21st century, the movie was revived as a Broadway musical, with Brooks producing, Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock, and Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom. Lane and Broderick later reprised their roles in a 2005 updated film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Director Fred Helsel and his crew create a production space with panache and class. The actors add to this elegant mix. With his rather rotund frame, Bart Sumner appears to completely possess the character of Max Bialystock, with some of the attitude Nathan Lane brought to the character, yet still making it his own. Bobby Dantona becomes the stuffed-shirt, pencil-pushing Leo Bloom, and scores on the singing and dancing.
The show finds stealers in Sean P. Harrington as the cross-dressing, homosexual theatre director Roger DeBris and George Chavez as Roger's exquisitely flamboyant assistant, Carmen Ghia. Harrington and Chavez throw caution to the wind and show absolute fearlessness in their roles. Their characters are extremely campy, with a hilarious musical number called "Keep It Gay." Sarah Hertwick is also solid as Ulla, with her sexy dance moves and lyrics for "If You've Got It, Flaunt It.".
It almost seems odd to watch a show where the main characters are hilarious swindlers trying to make a quick buck from producing garbage. However, it is not much of a spoiler to say that Max and Leo get caught. Is this the end of our two would-be producers? Find out in Mel Brooks campy vision, that will definitely continue to live onstage long after he is gone.
The Producers runs until April 5.
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
3050 E Los Angeles Ave
Simi Valley.
(805) 583-7900
www.simi-arts.org
Ticket Prices:
Adults: $20, Seniors & Students:
$16, Children (12 and under): $14