BWW Reviews: Lyceum Theatre Opens 50th Season with Funny and Frenetic Production of THE PRODUCERS Through 6/12

Mel Brooks is an equal opportunity offender, and I think that's one of the reasons he's able to get away with so much. When it was in the planning stages, it seemed highly improbable that he could turn his 1968 feature The Producers into a Broadway musical, much less a runaway hit. But, he and writer Thomas Meehan did just that, garnering a number of accolades and awards along the way. The Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, MO begin their 50th professional season with a lively and well mounted production of The Producers that continues their longstanding tradition of providing exceptional entertainment in the very heart of the mid-west.

Max Bialystock is a Broadway producer on the downside of his long and storied career who latches onto a notion innocently proposed by a meek accountant named Leo Bloom. He runs with the idea of raising a small fortune to produce a flop that will enable the producers to run off with the profits. Of course, if it's a hit they go to jail, so they search for the perfect failure, which comes in the form of Franz Liebkind's "Springtime for Hitler". Once they've found the play, they go about finding the worst director possible, and so on, in an attempt to guarantee they don't succeed. Naturally, things go awry.

Dana Snyder and Keith Gerchak are well cast as Max and Leo, respectively. The bodies and attitudes are a study in contrasts and it plays well as the pair reluctantly team up to put their scheme in action. Both display marvelous comic timing and a real knack for the schtick this show engages them in. Jeffrey Wolf is hilarious as Carmen Ghia, impossibly over the top, and deliciously funny as director Roger De Bris' prissy and flamboyant personal assistant. Ron Wisniski takes his portrayal of Roger one step further, and their work on "Keep it Gay" is a highlight of the first act. Christopher Schmidt does fine work as Franz Liebkind, and Danielle Kelsey is properly vivacious as Ulla, the receptionist/budding actress/love interest that nearly comes between Max and Leo.

Quin Gresham's direction is assured and inventive, and he fills the stage at the Lyceum with energetic performers who keep the action moving at a brisk pace, even during scene transitions. Michael Baxter's choreography makes good use of the space and the large ensemble, particularly on "Along Came Bialy", fleshed out with its full complement of grannies and walkers. Dan Calandro's scenic design is a marvel, conjuring up the various locations with surprising ease. Randy Winder's lighting sets the appropriate mood for each scene and number, while Evan Prizant's costumes set the period. James Woodland's splendid work as musical director is greatly enhanced by an improved sound system.

The Lyceum Theatre's funny and frenetic production of The Producers continues through June 12, 2010.

To post a comment, you must register and login.