Yolande Ramsay for Curtains Up
It is always a treat when show business mocks itself. The clichés that get skewered by over-the-top characters; the politics and manipulations are played out like farce; the schadenfreude joy of grand plans collapsing and failure being celebrated. Mel Brooks’ Tony Award-winning musical comedy, “The Producers”, tells just such a story in a brilliant satire of the old Broadway theatre scene. At the Segal Centre, a production of “The Producers” is playing in Yiddish, with English and French subtitles, which bring a sense of old Broadway from the past.
This brightly entertaining, funny, and extravagant show features a large ensemble from the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society, live music, and wonderful performances. It is the story of a failing Broadway theatre producer, Max Bialystock (Sam Stein) who is trying to find a way out of his debts. Leo Bloom (Mikey Samra), a young accountant with dreams of being a Broadway producer, presents Max with a crazy idea. He discovers that Max could make more money from a flop than a success, if they cook the books just right. Max loves the idea and convinces Leo to be his producing partner. They find a play that is so offensive that for certain it would close on opening night if not during the show- “Springtime for Hitler”. The playwright is a Bavarian Hitler fan called Franz Liebkind (Elan Kunin). Before giving the producers permission, he insists that they pledge support to his beliefs and to give him the lead role, naturally. Since this terrible idea would ensure failure, Max and Leo agree. But they don’t stop there. They hire the worse director they can find, the deliciously campy Roger Debris (Jonathan Patterson). They also hire a Swedish beauty, Ulla (Alisha Ruiss), to be their receptionist and assistant. Max gets the cash from his “investors”, elderly ladies who receive romantic attentions from him in a somewhat fair exchange. Then the farce…er… show is on!
Mr. Stein is terrific as the scheming fraudster. Mr. Samra is also wonderful as the befuddled and naïve first-timer torn between his dreams and his conscience. Ms. Ruiss shines as she gives a delightful send up of the exotic bombshell that is not as dumb as she looks. Mr. Patterson is excellent with the bonus of having great on stage chemistry with Ryan Kligman who plays Carmen Ghia. Mr. Kunin is great and makes a hilariously loud Bavarian.
The costumes are beautiful, perfectly excessive, and very tongue-cheek. The set changes are quick and clever, with upright panels that open and close for each scene change. The songs are performed with so much fun. Numbers such as “Keep it Gay” hits the clichés just as the show explodes with them. At the climax, the performance of “Springtime for Hitler” is so grand, it’s a success of the play-within-the-play scenario. Tenor Brandon Schwartz gives a marvellous rendition of “Springtime…”. The ensemble is clearly having fun and the joy is infectious.
The show sparkles with wit and hilarity. Self-mockery can be entertaining without being mean-spirited. A little farce goes a long way, especially on the Broadway.
“The Producers”: Presented by the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre in association with the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society. Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks. Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Directed by Anisa Cameron. Show continues until July 10, at Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal. Tickets $64 to $32. Call the box office 514-739-7944 or go to www.segalcentre.org