The Producers
21 – 30 October 2022
Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills
The Producers is recommended for audiences aged 16+
Independent theatre company Queensland Musical Theatre are presenting Mel Brooks’ laugh-out-loud musical The Producers, the show that set the record for most Tony Award wins.
A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they manoeuvre their way fecklessly through finding a show (Springtime for Hitler), hiring a director, raising the money, and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction, at the heart of which is a poignant journey of two very different men who become friends.
With a book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender.”
Ray Gillmore plays Leo Bloom – the show’s shy and rather pathetic accountant with big dreams of producing a Broadway show.
“He meets an old hack producer, Max Bialystock, and the two dream up a fraudulent scheme to cheat little old ladies out of two million bucks by purposefully putting on a Broadway flop. The parade of misfits Max and Leo encounter is a line-up of whacky, larger than life 1950s stereotypes… no one is safe; and that’s what makes it work – teasing in equal measure.”
Ray Gillmore believes 12 Tony wins should be enough to convince anyone to come and see the show, but ultimately it is just a wild night out.
“It is a total escape from day-to-day life and there is a line in the show that really sums it up – ‘Dramas annoy us and ruin our night; comedies joy is a constant delight!'” Ray said.
Leo’s seductive love interest/receptionist, Ulla, is portrayed by Kate Retzki, who didn’t know much about the show until prepping to audition.
“I’ve been so surprised with how entertaining this show is – it is almost impossible to stay in character not constantly laugh-out-loud at the madness happening around you! People may remember the 2005 movie starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, but the musical is not as well-known as other funny shows, like Kinky Boots or Little Shop of Horrors. But if you love a bit of cheeky fun, then come and have a laugh with us,” Kate said.
For ticketing and further information, visit the Queensland Musical Theatre website
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