Producing The Producers

Now that you know something more about the man behind the comedy and hopefully are a little more familiar with the way he expresses his opinions, let's take a look at KVTA's The Producers. KVTA, with the tradition of shows like Jesus Christ: Superstar and The Music Man, has continued producing electric Broadway musicals since the Covid-19 breather. Although the Broadway debut of The Producers is much more recent than many other shows, it is perhaps the most politically charged show that KVTA has performed in many, many years. While this musical does not specifically address the prejudices experienced by Jewish people, the characters, dialogue, and outrageous situations are Mel Brooks' way to take power away from Nazis and other racists.

Just a quick diversion. When you learn how to write in school...or at least when I did somewhere between five and **cough** twenty years ago, a lot of emphasis is placed on the thesis statement. This is where you tell your audience what point you will prove with your writing. Good writers will do this skillfully and with beautiful prose. To make it easy, for me (give yourself credit, you're a talented reader and probably already knew this), I'm going to come out and say: THIS IS THE THESIS OF THIS ARTICLE: Hitler is a joke, laugh at him. Now, back to my skilled writing and beautiful prose.

A timid accountant, a fast-talking Broadway producer, a dancing girl, an overtly flamboyant director, and a neurotic Nazi walk into a bar. Oh, you hadn't heard that one? Great! Only in a Mel Brooks show could these characters come together and make anything that even appears to be a coherent narrative. Spastic Leo Bloom has always longed to be a Broadway producer. His mundane life as an accountant is made to look absolutely dreadful in a character study cleverly disguised as a big Broadway number. He is called to audit the financial books of the pompous Max Bialystock, whose most recent production was a huge flop. But, interestingly, Leo discovers that Max has raised more money than the cost of the show. Max slowly realizes the shady profitability of a Broadway flop and a horribly mismatched partnership is born!

KVTA's production of The Producers is a great mix of KVTA regulars that you will easily recognize, new faces that will surprise you with their versatility, and actors that haven't seen the KVTA stage in up to ten years! The range of this cast is its strength: stodgy old men being offended by overly dramatic thespians whose confusing performance standards bring out the best (and worst) in ditzy young women but keep a mentally imbalanced Nazi in check and keep our two protagonists on their toes throughout the entire show! (Keep in mind: Hitler is a joke. Laugh at him.) And this cast is able, through the ease and skill of their performance, to walk you through these tangled relationships by expressing their character through the biting dialogue, rivaling the original deliveries of Mostel and Wilder.

Because you are a dedicated reader of this blog (at least for the last few weeks), you have already been cautioned about the content of this show. If you've made it this far, I'm going to assume that you are ready for this experience. Evoking memories of histories great comedic duos, Bialystock and Bloom navigate the intricacies of Broadway productions, seeking out the worst of the worst. They do their best to avoid offending the hilarious stereotypes (turned up to 11) that they attempt to recruit to their cause. Fortunately for us, they only partially succeed, thanks to their wit being quicker than their conscience. Conversations, arguments, and many, many misunderstandings later, the duo have managed to both offend and compliment a Nazi playwright (Hitler is a joke, laugh at him), a flamboyantly gay director (and staff), and a very outgoing chorus girl. Every second of dialogue is stuffed with cleverly packaged innuendo and outright direct commentary on these unlikely (but really encountered by Brooks in his early career!) situations. This dialogue is magnified by the complicated situations that arise in the duo's travels throughout New York City.

Bialystock and Bloom's whirlwind tour through the city is punctuated by the immaculate set pieces at each stop. This is easily one of the largest sets that has been produced by KVTA in years. Dozens and dozens of skilled volunteers have stepped up and made every piece of this set unforgettable. Not to be outdone, the costumes are nothing short of innovative. The detail paid to each period piece and the sheer number of costume changes mark this show.

As the pair assemble their motley crew, everyone in the cast will surprise you with the amount of physical comedy on display. And as you are just settling in for some exposition or even a nice, gentle ballad, BAM!, surprise dance number! This production has more twists and turns than a snake with an itch. From a unbelievably entertaining trip to an accountant's office to the most hilariously offensive Broadway musical you've ever seen, you will want to see what tools Brooks will pull from his bag to next punish his characters.

If you do not have the overwhelming urge to stuff Nazis into a rocket to the sun where every seat is a middle seat and beverage service is perpetually suspended, you are not invited to this show. (Hitler is a joke, laugh at him). Otherwise, spread the word and pack the house for this amazing KVTA production. Tickets are available now for September 20 at 7 pm, September 21 at 2 pm, and September 22 at 2 pm. I'll see you there!

Dana James can't believe that you don't have your tickets yet. Do you want to meet him there and you can be seat buddies? No? I don't blame you...