The Producers

Working the adaptation pathway to great success, The Producers was a Mel Brooks movie, then a stage musical, then a movie musical, and this production is just one of the hundreds that have been put on over the years, but it absolutely holds up. This production leans into the glitz and glamor, and the cast’s performances were joyous and hilarious throughout.

The Producers follows a broadway producer and his accountant as they attempt to swindle New York with the worst musical imaginable, only to make a glittering success. With iconic songs like “Keep it Gay”, “When You’ve Got it, Flaunt it”, and “Springtime for Hitler”, the show walks on the right side of utilising stereotypes for comedy, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats either laughing or in shock. 

What I Liked

I’ve grown to like The Producers more and more as I’ve gotten older. This production did an incredible job to show the heightened nature of every character and every moment felt like the most memorable. The cast were all amazing, but I personally thought that Marc Antolin as Leopold Bloom was the standout. He sings, he dances, he’s funny, and he’s clearly enjoying himself in some of the most fun songs in the whole show. 

The costumes were especially fantastic. The ensemble had a huge range of gorgeous and ridiculous costumes that dazzled, but my favourite was of course the range of show-girl costumes in Act 2, with special mention to the marble statue. 

What wasn’t my favourite 

As with any show that walks the edgy humor line, there were still a few jokes that I found offputting, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. In fact, overall I don’t have many criticisms at all, though it’s not necessarily joining my favourite musicals. 

Overall

The Producers is an outrageous show and an undeniably exciting evening. It’s not among my favourite musicals of all time but it does hold a very well deserved part of the musical genre, and I definitely had an enjoyable time.