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The best show on Broadway?
22nd April 2008
By David Fernee
 In
our infinite wisdom, we here at Theatre People are often asked by
our devoted audience questions of such
magnitude and importance that only we should be allowed to answer.
These questions include, 'When do the saints go marching in?', 'If
everything has its season why are there only four?' and 'Don't you
know that you're toxic?' We make a point of avoiding such questions,
and rightly so, who wants to find out that the only reason the
saints would go marching in is if the rest of the AFL decided to
have a bake sale?
It's true; we mostly avoid tackling such big questions, but one
question has been asked that we can not ignore and we were informed
that Geelong Lyric Theatre Society (GLTS) might just have the
answer. So who could resist posing the ultimate question, 'Is The
Producer's really the best show on Broadway?' (Surely many people
could, but we went ahead and gave into temptation…)
Dazzled by such a startling question, Alicia Miller (Ulla),
came up with the surprisingly coherent response, "I was already a
big fan of The Producers before I got the opportunity to audition
for the show, I believe The Producers is a typical Broadway show and
it did win a lot of Tony's, so Dave, The Producers is the best show
on Broadway." Absolutely amazing, once again Theatre People get
right to the heart of the issue with crack investigative journalism.
Work your source, that's what we say here at TP! Further evidence
that we were onto something came from Scott Popovic (Max
Bialystock), "Not only is "The Producers" the best show on
Broadway, it is also the best show in
Geelong! The show has won more Tony awards than any other Broadway
show in history and is modern, relevant, and drop-dead funny. Mel
Brooks has taken the art of laughing at your enemies to a level
never before seen with his brazen satirical ridicule of Adolph
Hitler. The fact that our opening night in Geelong falls on Anzac
day is an ironic twist that makes for an electric opening at the
Geelong Performing Arts Centre."
So having established that The Producers really is not only the best
show on Broadway but also the best show in Geelong we went on to
find a little more about the GLTS version. Since it's often
difficult to get a succinct response from cast members about why we
should watch their show, GLTS was given five words or less.
"Humorous, glamorous, witty musical comedy" says Miller.
"Gay Nazis, old nymphomaniacs, pigeons" says Popovic. It is possible
he was talking about Sunshine, Frankston (or perhaps
Geelong?),
but it's a safe bet he meant the show.
When questioned further about the show Popovic revealed this about
his fellow cast member Clint Sanders (Leo Bloom), "Clint
Sanders and I met for the first time during our first audition for
the show. We immediately developed a rapport and as the rehearsals
progressed we have become good friends. We have quickly established
a connection on stage and I look forward to working with Clint in
front of an audience. He has been adept at approaching this role
with absolute professionalism without losing the crucial ability to
 have
fun with it and be true to the comedy of the show. We are both
massive fans of Mel Brooks, and The Producers in particular and
hopefully our excitement will come across to audiences." Popovic
shows he is a true friend to Sanders and that perhaps, one day, we
can all experience such a rapport and connection on stage. We too
now look forward to working one day with Clint and hope that he
doesn't lose the crucial ability to have fun with it all!
Although Sanders is a friend to all, it has been said by Miller that
"I have to do a kissing scene with Clint Sanders (Leo Bloom) I've
never done anything like that before so that’s outrageous enough for
me." Yes, we've never done a kissing scene with Clint Sanders
either, so we'll take your word for it!
The
Geelong premiere of Mel Brooks The Producers runs from April
25th to May 3rd 2008.
Tickets are on sale from the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (03)
5225 1200. Thank you to the cast
and apologies for quoting you out of context. The cast seems great
and the show sounds like a blast.
If you haven't seen The Producers, and even if you have, you should
definitely get down to the
G to the Eelong and see it!
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