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| David Hasselhoff starring as “Roger DeBris” and Rich Affannato as “Carmen Ghia” rehearse the number “Keep it Gay.” |
Vegas' Arts & Entertainment Corner
| THE PRODUCERS at Paris Las Vegas |
| BOOK BY MEL BROOKS AND THOMAS MEEHAN MUSIC AND LYRICS BY MEL BROOKS DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY SUSAN STROMAN |
| David Hasselhoff as "Roger DeBris" and Leigh Zimmerman as "Ulla" in the Las Vegas production. This number is from the "Prisoners of Love" scene. |
The Mel Brooks musical comedy “The Producers” opened on Broadway April 19, 2001 and received the most Tony Awards in
Broadway history (12, including Best Musical). Based on Mel Brooks’ Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name,
the show tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock (Brad Oscar) and Leo Bloom (Larry Raben), a
mousy accountant. Together, with the help of their flamboyant director, Roger DeBris (David Hasselhoff), they hatch the
ultimate scam: to raise more money than they need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their “sure-fire”
theatrical fiasco? None other than the musical “Springtime for Hitler!”
Broadway history (12, including Best Musical). Based on Mel Brooks’ Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name,
the show tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock (Brad Oscar) and Leo Bloom (Larry Raben), a
mousy accountant. Together, with the help of their flamboyant director, Roger DeBris (David Hasselhoff), they hatch the
ultimate scam: to raise more money than they need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their “sure-fire”
theatrical fiasco? None other than the musical “Springtime for Hitler!”
"The Producers" Review by Carolyn Weaver
I was not familiar with the Broadway production of this show. I could only go by the 1968 film version with Zero Mostel as
Max Bialystock and Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. I have to say that I thought Brad Oscar was a lot like Mostel. I also
enjoyed Larry Reben as Leo Bloom. I don't remember the Roger DeBris role if it was in the original film or not. Some of
the lines did bring back memories of the 1968 film. I really think the musical version is very good and it makes the story
so much more enjoyable.
Looking at the theatrical credits for most of the cast in "The Producers" shows they have a very talented group of
performers. Many of the performers do dual roles. They have a cast of about 20, but it looks like 40.
Many are newcomers, but many have been doing theatre on Broadway, London and on tour in the US. It is a talented cast
and it shows on stage, especially in the big production numbers. Dancing is a major part of this show, and they have cast
some great dancers. I noticed two were in CATS, which requires a great deal of dancing ability...but also many are from
the various productions of "The Producers" around the world. It is nice to have another solid professional group of
theatre performers gracing the stage of a musical in Las Vegas. It is fast-paced and the 90 minutes just flies by. They sing
a little ditty at the end of the curtain call to say it is over...well you wish it was not as it was a great evening of singing and
dancing (which is something that appeals to me).
As my associate so suitably put it: "Leigh Zimmerman! Would've loved to have had her as one of our resident Velma’s in
'Chicago' when it was here in Las Vegas." She is very gifted and could pull off any role that requires great dancing ability
and singing. Wished her part were bigger to show off her talent...not to mention what appeals to the men in the audience.
This goes for many in the cast of "The Producers."
There were many standout performances in the show. The two leads Brad Oscar and Larry Raben were fantastic and they
made the roles their own. Another standout singer, who has a voice that truly made me think of the old Ziegfeld movies,
was Daniel Herron (listed as only the Lead Tenor in the program). The number "Springtime for Hitler" is like the old
Ziegfeld theatre shows on Broadway. In fact if you have seen the old film versions of Ziegfeld shows and also of "The
Producers" it brings back those memories of Broadway back then. Herron is listed as being from the US National Tour of
"The Producers."
The sets were good. Some were spectacular and the costumes were really good. David Hasselhoff's gown was really nice.
Myself and the lady with me were very jealous.
Now of course what would a review be without talking about the star of the show David Hasselhoff, or as many call him the
"Hoff." He was really good in the role. I was surprised, as I did not expect him to pull this role off as well as he did. After
only seeing him in "Baywatch" and "Knightrider" on TV, I did not know what to expect.
I thought it was nice that Hasselhoff took his bows before Brad Oscar and Larry Raben, since they are really the main leads
of the show. But the "Hoff" got to show his stuff too!
Also, the theatre site lines are good and there really is not a bad seat in the house. We sat in the upper section and could
see the show well.
So if you are coming to Las Vegas don't miss THE PRODUCERS - great production numbers and lots of laughs!
Max Bialystock and Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. I have to say that I thought Brad Oscar was a lot like Mostel. I also
enjoyed Larry Reben as Leo Bloom. I don't remember the Roger DeBris role if it was in the original film or not. Some of
the lines did bring back memories of the 1968 film. I really think the musical version is very good and it makes the story
so much more enjoyable.
Looking at the theatrical credits for most of the cast in "The Producers" shows they have a very talented group of
performers. Many of the performers do dual roles. They have a cast of about 20, but it looks like 40.
Many are newcomers, but many have been doing theatre on Broadway, London and on tour in the US. It is a talented cast
and it shows on stage, especially in the big production numbers. Dancing is a major part of this show, and they have cast
some great dancers. I noticed two were in CATS, which requires a great deal of dancing ability...but also many are from
the various productions of "The Producers" around the world. It is nice to have another solid professional group of
theatre performers gracing the stage of a musical in Las Vegas. It is fast-paced and the 90 minutes just flies by. They sing
a little ditty at the end of the curtain call to say it is over...well you wish it was not as it was a great evening of singing and
dancing (which is something that appeals to me).
As my associate so suitably put it: "Leigh Zimmerman! Would've loved to have had her as one of our resident Velma’s in
'Chicago' when it was here in Las Vegas." She is very gifted and could pull off any role that requires great dancing ability
and singing. Wished her part were bigger to show off her talent...not to mention what appeals to the men in the audience.
This goes for many in the cast of "The Producers."
There were many standout performances in the show. The two leads Brad Oscar and Larry Raben were fantastic and they
made the roles their own. Another standout singer, who has a voice that truly made me think of the old Ziegfeld movies,
was Daniel Herron (listed as only the Lead Tenor in the program). The number "Springtime for Hitler" is like the old
Ziegfeld theatre shows on Broadway. In fact if you have seen the old film versions of Ziegfeld shows and also of "The
Producers" it brings back those memories of Broadway back then. Herron is listed as being from the US National Tour of
"The Producers."
The sets were good. Some were spectacular and the costumes were really good. David Hasselhoff's gown was really nice.
Myself and the lady with me were very jealous.
Now of course what would a review be without talking about the star of the show David Hasselhoff, or as many call him the
"Hoff." He was really good in the role. I was surprised, as I did not expect him to pull this role off as well as he did. After
only seeing him in "Baywatch" and "Knightrider" on TV, I did not know what to expect.
I thought it was nice that Hasselhoff took his bows before Brad Oscar and Larry Raben, since they are really the main leads
of the show. But the "Hoff" got to show his stuff too!
Also, the theatre site lines are good and there really is not a bad seat in the house. We sat in the upper section and could
see the show well.
So if you are coming to Las Vegas don't miss THE PRODUCERS - great production numbers and lots of laughs!
| Cast change May 7, 2007 |