Review: THE PRODUCERS at Gdynia Musical Theater

It’s not the first time, but it’s still a title that the Polish audience isn’t deeply familiar with. There are so many inside jokes that it’s hard to count, and even more references to American culture, brutally mocked by Mel Brooks, that can be tricky for Polish viewers to grasp. Nevertheless, the show delivers plenty of laughs.

It’s a parody of the entire musical business in the U.S., which already makes it a challenge for the local audience, as we don’t know much about how producers work on Broadway, do we? So let’s focus on what really works for us. It’s hard to believe that the original movie is almost 60 years old and the musical adaptation nearly 25!

The biggest strength of the production is undoubtedly the casting. Robert Rozmus as Max Bialystok, Maciej Podgórzak as Leo Bloom, and Izabela Pawletko as Ulla Swanson are simply delightful. Rozmus effortlessly steps into the shoes of the old libertine (though he’s almost too charming to be truly sinister); when Podgórzak begins to sing, it’s like the sky opens and the sun appears; Pawletko’s charm and energy are utterly irresistible—like sneaking a slice of chocolate cake at midnight.

Going further: Sebastian Wisłocki as Roger De Bill brings wild passion to his madness, while his sidekick Jędrzej Gierach as Carmen Golia injects boundless energy and fabulous flair to the stage (also, they look simply amazing thanks to costumes designed by Aneta Suskiewicz). Tomasz Gregor as Franz Liebkind? Unusually passionate and weirdly convincing—a delightfully bizarre presence.

But the real stars for me were the older women. As a group, they are hilariously vigorous, bringing an instant smile to your face. The combination of walkers, young performers, and “old” energy in group scenes was spectacular. I loved every second of their presence on stage, their dance, their jumps, singing, slides, walking, crawling, and everything else. If that’s getting old - count me in!

It's not easy to put on a funny show on a big stage, but director Tomasz Dutkiewicz makes sure that Mel Brooks' humor across the Atlantic is transported well. But... Something about it lingered with me — like that one piece of popcorn stuck in your teeth after a great movie. And then I realized: the humor in The Producers feels a little… out of date. Once provocative, it now echoes like jokes from a time when comedy wore a different guise. It’s the kind of humor you don’t quite laugh at anymore — but you remember that once, people did. The production shines in its energy and rhythm, but some of its jokes feel like souvenirs from another decade, charming yet slightly out of place in 2025.

Yes, the plot has a healthy dose of cringe – after all, it’s a musical about a musical about Hitler (how weird is that?). At some point, you might stop worrying about what’s appropriate and simply enjoy the absurdity. And honestly, something is charming in spicy nonsense paired with great musical numbers and great vocals (did I mention Maciej Podgórzak?). Some local touches might fly over the heads of outsiders, like policemen speaking in Kashubian. My only regret is that they apparently said something hilarious, but I couldn’t understand a word. For once, something strange happened: the whole audience was laughing except me (and usually, it’s the other way around).

I also loved the theatre’s warning: Before taking a seat, familiarize yourself with the film adaptation or consult a musical expert, as watching unprepared may endanger your life or health. A perfect note to set the tone for the madness that follows.

Photo: Rzemieślnik Światła

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