Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts stages “The Producers,” beginning Aug. 8, at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
“The Producers” is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks’ 1967 film of the same name, which starred Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder and Andreas Voutsinas. Lyrics were written and music composed by Brooks, and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman.
At the 2001 Tony Awards, “The Producers” Broadway show won 12 out of its 15 nominations, setting the record at the time for most wins in history and becoming one of the few musicals to win in every category for which it was nominated.
Set in 1959, even though down-and-out stage producer Max Bialystock’s “Funny Boy,” a musical based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” closes after one performance, he vows to return to his position as “King of Broadway.”
Once mousy accountant Leo Bloom discovers that Bialystock raised more money for the show than it cost to make, the two realize that money is to be made by overselling interests and producing a flop.
The result is “Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden.” Bialystock and Bloom manage to raise $2 million from wealthy little old ladies in New York. The only problem ... “Springtime for Hitler” is a smash hit and investors expect a bigger payout than the theatrical team can muster.
In 1968, Brooks won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Gene Wilder was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Zero Mostel was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and Brooks was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay.
Tony Braithwaite will play Max Bialystock and Zach Chiero will play Bloom. The production is directed and choreographed by Dann Dunn and artistic director is Howard Perloff. “The Producers” will be held at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
For information and tickets, call 215-297-8540 or visit
buckscountycpa.org.
