BWW Reviews: THE PRODUCERS at Olney Theatre Center - Mel Brooks Would be Ecstatic

I regret not being able to attend the opening night of THE PRODUCERS at the Olney Theatre Center because I would have shaked the hand of everyone who was involved in this amazing production. During the show I couldn't help notice my wife Lisa had a perpetual smile on her face enjoying every millisecond of this hysterical production.

I first have to complement the Artistic Director of the Olney Theatre Center, Jason Loewith, for having the "chutzpah" to present the first local resident professional production of THE PRODUCERS since the National Tour came through more than ten years ago. He surmised the reason no one has done it was the tough task of getting the right actors to tackle this behemoth of a show.

This Mel Brooks musical garnered a record 12 Tony Awards in 2001 including Best Musical. (As an aside there are two other fabulous Tony-winning musicals running concurrently at the Kennedy Center, ONCE and THE BOOK OF MORMAN.) As Loewith stated, you must have the actors to replicate the incredible performances remembered by many and that is Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder from the film the musical is based on, and Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick who did both the Broadway show and cinematic version of the musical.

Thankfully, Olney succeeds in pulling this off for Michael Kostroff is a killer Max Bialystock and Michael Di Liberto is so over the top as Leo Bloom, I didn't ever think of Broderick in this role. Kostroff will be recognized by many for his five years in the hit HBO television series "The Wire". He also was a member of the very first national tour and has played Max numerous times throughout the country. After you see his performance, you will understand why. The audience also fell in love with Di Liberto for his unforgettable role as Leo Bloom. His comedic timing is brilliant and along with his singing acumen and dancing, I see a great future for him in musical theater. I will never forget his version of "I Want to be Producer". Kostroff's rendition of "Betrayed" in which he recounts the entire show in five minutes while in a jail cell should go down in history.

There are so many standouts in the cast which I'm sure will gather a bevy of Helen Hayes' Award nominations. One of my favorite local actors, Stephen F. Schmidt, is just amazing as Franz Liebkind, the playwright for the "hopefully" horrific and sure theatrical flop SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER. His numbers such as "In Old Bavaria", Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" and "Haben Sie Gehoert Das Deutsche Band" will forever be etched in my memory.

No one will forget the role played by Jessica Jaros as "Inka Hanson Benson Yanson Tallen Hallen Swadon Swanson" (and that's her first name). Her big number "When You've Got It, Flaunt It" deserved the standing ovation that was given by Max and Leo sitting on their couch.

Broadway veteran Jason Graae (he has done a remarkable 55 recordings of original cast albums, studio and solo CDs) could be the most memorable Roger de Bris ever. His rendition of "Springtime for Hitler" is alone worth the price of admission. Assisting him as "Carmen Ghia" is the talented Robert Mintz.

It would not be appropriate not to mention the talented ensemble who shine every moment they are on stage.

Pulling this all together remarkably is Director Mark Waldrop who does a superb job with his talented cast.

Tara Jeanne Vallee's choreography is spot on, Seth M. Gilbert's costumes work terrifically and James Fouchard's sets will remind one of the Broadway production and work smoothly. Andrew F. Griffin is responsible for the great lighting and Max Krembs does sound and every single lyric can be heard clearly.

Darius Smith directs the nine piece band. Rarely does Olney use an orchestra pit for musicians but it works wonders. In a clever move, the top of the orchestra pit is used as a way to get the actors closer to the audience and three cut outs allow the music to be heard without amplification. It sounds like there are many more musicians than nine.

I am shocked that THE PRODUCERS has not been extended because it should be. It runs until July 26. Do not by any means miss this!! For tickets, call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org. There are talk-backs following the July 18 and 25th matinees.

I highly recommend the book "The Producers: The Book, Lyrics, and Story Behind the Musical" by Mel Brooks and Tom Meehan (book writer). It's available on Amazon for $33 or less. As a personal aside, I noticed the inscription at the front of the book. It was from my daughter Britt wishing me a Happy Birthday in 2002. It was a loving note in which she expressed appreciation by saying, "Thank you for giving me my love of the theater". About one month later, Britt got a part in the Broadway production of MAMMA MIA!

THIS AND THAT

On July 20, at 6 p.m., Michael Kostroff is presenting "Audition Psych 101 at the Olney Theatre Center. This four hour workshop "de-terrorizes the audition process - from preparation to callback." Contact the theater for more information.

On July 25, the Olney Theatre Center presents OTC Fest 2015. The free event included free performances, food trucks, theater tours, Meet the cast of THE PRODUCERS, Vocal Master Class, Tap Master Class, hear music from next year's season, children's activities and games, stage combat, clown class, face painting, live music, ice cream social, and prop and costume sale.

This is literally just in. The Signature just released their schedule for their free Open House scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2015 with an all day extravaganza full of live performances and arts events across five different stages. It runs from noon until 8:30 p.m. There will be live performances, master classes, converesations with artists, the debut of the "Signature Voice Competition" and a "Broadway on the Plaza grand finale. There will be free moon bounce, popcorn, snow cones,crafts and more. There will be sneak-peek performances from the upcoming seasons including performances from WEST SIDE STORY and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Discounted tickets will be available for select performances for mainstage shows throughout the season. Some highlights: 12:30 p.m. Sondheim Songbook in the lobby, Adom Gwon in concert at 1:30 in the Ark, 2:30 p.m. in the Max Signature Season Highlights Concert, 3 p.m. in the lobby "Contemporary Broadway Songbook" from Jason Robert Brown to Adam Guettel, and the Grand Finale at 7 p.m. on the Plaza Stage. For more information, visit www.sigtheatre.org.

The lights on Broadway were dimmed on Wednesday night in memory of the brilliant Roger Rees. I will never forget his role in the musical A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. His last role was in the Kander and Ebb musical THE VISIT.

Just got notice of a Broadway tour presented by Disney entitled "Disney on Broadway Behind the Magic Tour" which will open to the public July 18 and will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You will get special access to Disney's historic New Amsterdam Theatre, admission to an exclusive Prop and Costume Studio that houses original stage pieces from shows such as THE LION KING, MARY POPPINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Other highlights of the tour include guided stops at Sardis, Shubert Theatre/Shubert Alley, Marriott Marquis and culminate at Disney's New Amsterdam Theatre. The tour is limited to 25 people and tickets are available exclusively at www.walksofnewyork.com. The cost is $72 for adults and $65 for children ages 3-14.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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