The Producers was originally conceived as a 1967 black comedy film by Mel Brooks, which became a cult hit after a sluggish start.
In 2001 Jerry Herman convinced Brooks that he had the talent to re-imagine it as a musical, which has been realised in many productions since, bringing us to this new Joshua Robson production at the Hayes Theatre.
Firstly, the production had to adapt a large stage musical with dance and orchestration to the postage stamp that is the Hayes stage, while also reducing the number of actors to fit.
Director Julia Robertson has managed to do this expertly and without losing a beat of the play’s biting satire, wit and dance spectacles choreographed by Shannon Burns.
The Producers is often read as a satire against Hitler and the pompous Nazi regime, but it is more centred in the human frailties of greed and power, as failing Broadway impresario Max Bialystock (Anton Berezin) looks for ways of shoring up his fortunes against threats of an audit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Already finely attuned to touching up his hapless flock of aged female investors in more ways that one, the light bulb moment comes in the form of accountant Leo Bloom (Des Flanagan) when he discovers that you can make more money out of a flop than you can from a hit production.
This sets in play a chain of reactions as Bialystock tries to convince Bloom to join him in a criminal enterprise, which after some soul searching he does. In between Bialystock priming his investors to open their wallets they find Springtime for Hitler, the perfect flop, when in walks Ulla (Alexandra Cashmere) looking for a role.
A trip downtown to the play’s writer, a mad Nazi sympathiser named Franz Leibkind (Jordan Shea) secures the deal and the search for the worst director in New York takes them to the transvestite Roger De Bris (Blake Erickson) who is minded by the outrageously eccentric Carmen Ghia (Mikey Sakinofsky) and a retinue of camp followers.
The stage is set for the play to close on opening night, but a twist of fate sees De Bris having to take the Hitler role and the audiences love it. So much for well laid plans as we see an elopement with the stash, and a trial that sentences Bialystock and Bloom to Sing Sing where they write a hit play for the inmates.
Robertson keeps the production moving at a cracking pace and some of the dance sequences on this small stage are nothing short of spectacular.
Much of the play focuses on Berezin’s role of Bialystock who impresses and engages as he covers a wide range of emotions and motivations and shows he can hoof it with the best, while also having the majority of the singing roles.
As his partner in crime, Flanagan is also impressive, particularly in the scenes where he is working as a downtrodden accountant going thought the motions that also gives him the opportunity to showcase a fine singing voice.
As Ulla Alexandra Cashmere is a revelation with her looks and delivery of dialogue, vocals and dancing. Jordan Shea does buffoon and bumbling really well to the point that he has the audience on side, while Erickson and Sakinofsky deliver Keep It Gay with a modern edge that helps keep the production from being dated.
Wendy-Lee Purdy as Hold-Me-Touch-Me shines in her few moments in the spotlight, as do Genevieve Goldman, Ashton Lash and Paloma Renouf as the Usherettes. Mentions also to Joe Meldrum, Clancy Enchelmaier, Joshua Gordon and Spencer Cliff, all of whom have moments to shine across various roles.
Of course everyone knows Springtime for Hitler and the delivery and staging of this key moment does not disappoint as it is backed by a crack band under the baton of Osibi Akerejola.
For those who want to see this production at the Hayes will be disappointed as the season has sold out, but it will be transferring to Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres from 15 – 18 May 2025.
No old ladies were harmed in this production, only having their purses lightened.
The Producers
Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
Performance: Tuesday 1 April 2025
Season continues to 27 April 2025
Information: www.hayestheatre.com.au
Riverside Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Season: 15 – 18 May 2025
Information and Bookings: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Images: The Full Company of The Producers – photo by Grant Leslie | Anton Berezin as Max Bialystock and Des Flanagan as Leo Bloom – photo by Grant Leslie | Mikey Sakinofsky as Carmen Ghia and Blake Erickson as Roger De Bris – photo by Grant Leslie | Anton Berezin as Max Bialystock with Ensemble – photo by Grant Leslie | Alexandra Cashmere as Ulla – photo by Grant Leslie
Review: John Moyle