Review: THE PRODUCERS at the Capitol Theatre is Ebullient

The new national tour of THE PRODUCERS, playing at the Capitol Theatre, is an ebullient, vivacious new version of the well-loved original.

THE PRODUCERS (book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks) was a smash hit on Broadway, with Susan Stroman's production walking away with a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. Based on a 1968 non-musical film, and spawning its own musical film adaptation in 2005, it is a hilarious comedic juggernaut.

Max Bialystock is a once-successful Broadway producer who is losing his touch...until he comes up with a seemingly failsafe scheme to profit from a flop. He partners with anxious public accountant Leo Bloom to produce what they hope will be the biggest flop in the history of commercial theatre: "Springtime for Hitler."

The scenes and songs are delivered boldly in this production, which is directed by Nigel West and choreographed by Lauren Kadel, based on Stroman's original direction and choreography.

Scenic designer Kacie Hultgren has focused his attentions on a few impressive showpieces, but his designs always keep the show moving and the locations on point. The costumes by Vincent Scassellati, Kenneth Burrell, and the Kansas City Costume Company are always suitable and attractive, and in some cases they are flat out remarkable.

When it's good, it's very good. The "Springtime for Hitler" sequence is a prime example of spectacular performances, choreography, set, and costumes fusing together and lit up by the extraordinary material.

But for a comedy that should have the audience rolling in the aisles from start to finish, the humor in this production is surprisingly lackluster. Many humorous elements are very well executed, with some exciting new interpretations of the material and genuine laugh out loud moments. However, overall, the performances are just not as funny as they should be. It feels like a paint-by-the-numbers affair without the kind of off-the-cuff line readings that would make it not seemed forced. Spontaneity breeds hilarity, and this production is missing it in spades.

That's not to say that the performances do not have merit, because there is much to enjoy. David Johnson has a gruff lovability as Max Bialystock, and Richard LaFleur as Leo Bloom has a great reserved-yet-excitable sensibility. John B. Boss and J. Ryan Carroll are paired well as the flamboyant Roger De Bris and Carmen Ghia, respectively. Jessica Ernest showcases strong vocals as Ulla, and Thomas Slater is a riot as Franz Liebkind.

THE PRODUCERS plays the Capitol Theatre for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 7, 2016. For tickets, call ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or visit www.arttix.org.

Content Advisory: The film version of the musical was rated PG-13 for its innuendo, double entendre, and language.

Photo Credit: L-R David Johnson (Max Bialystock), Jessica Ernest (Ulla), and Richard LaFleur (Leo Bloom)