Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Jeremy Lancaster is to play the role of Broadway producer Max Bialystock. He is pictured with members of the chorus. (SUBMITTED)
More singers and dancers prepare for “The Producers,” which opens Jan.24 at the WMCA. (SUBMITTED)
7 Ages’ staging of Mel Brooks’ "The Producers" at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium this month may set a record for laugh decibel level.
On Broadway, "The Producers" set a record for most Tony Awards ever received by a musical.
In Brandon, a star-studded cast of local actors, singers and dancers is anxious to give audiences an amazing experience.
"It’s the funniest show I’ve ever seen," director George Buri said. "Trish and I saw it on Broadway years ago and we just couldn’t stop laughing. I’ve been planning to do it for years and this year seemed to be the right time with the actors we have."
Jeremy Lancaster will play the iconic role of Max Bialystock, a Broadway producer down on his luck. The role of Leo Bloom, his reluctant accountant accomplice, is ably played by Clint McLaughlin who was onstage last year with "Guys and Dolls."
"Clint really has a great voice and everyone has been impressed by his acting skills," Buri said.
Kenna Simpson, well-known to Westman audiences, plays Ulla; Sean Keogh is hilarious as Franz Liebkind and Ken Jackson who certainly is a favourite singer-actor in the community, doubles as a vocal coach and plays the role of Roger Debris.
The chorus is full of great singers and dancers who have had lead roles in past productions.
The plot centres on Max’s attempt to mount the worst show ever on Broadway in order to slip away with his investors’ money. He finds a terrible play, "Springtime for Hitler," and then sets out to hire a fourth-rate director.
Along the way he has a series of adventures that are typical Mel Brooks.
Brooks capitalizes on political incorrectness and stereotypes that are completely over-the-top. As with Brooks’ films "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein," the humour is unexpected: absurd musical numbers, sight gags and one-liners.
Choreographer Linda Kearns has been putting the dancers through their paces, including some outstanding tap dance sequences. Some of the best humour is in the dance numbers, but we are not giving anything away here.
The team behind the show includes musical director Mindy Choy, stage manager Connie Bok, properties manager Judy Darvill and costume co-ordinator Trish Buri.
All of them have been challenged by this show, which is easily "the most complicated show we have ever done," said Judy Darvill, who has been spotted buying properties in some unlikely places.
Support from local sponsors and businesses has been amazing.
Now everyone is looking forward to opening night — Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. The show also runs Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the WMCA either by phone or online.
» Submitted
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 14, 2013
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7 Ages’ staging of Mel Brooks’ "The Producers" at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium this month may set a record for laugh decibel level.
On Broadway, "The Producers" set a record for most Tony Awards ever received by a musical.
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7 Ages’ staging of Mel Brooks’ "The Producers" at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium this month may set a record for laugh decibel level.
On Broadway, "The Producers" set a record for most Tony Awards ever received by a musical.
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