Please Recycle! 

“The Producers” 

A Mel Brooks Musical 

at the 

Academy Theatre 

A Review

Mel Brooks did it again.  And Meadville’s Academy Theatre, followed suit. 

Recycling his 1967 movie, “The Producers,” into a successful musical, the local theatrical company produced “The Producers” into another fun, current event. 

Having staged “The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein” (Yep, that’s its title)  around Halloween last year, the Academy’s powers-that-be must’ve figured why not go with another sure thing? 

And they were right. 

Telling the story of once successful Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Christopher Seeley), who’s now reduced to peddling sexual favors to little old rich ladies to stage his iffy shows, his fortunes change when shy, uptight accountant Leo Bloom (Lee Scandinaro) enters his office to review his books. Turns out, according to Leo, that if enough money were to be invested in a show-and it bombed-while show’s investors would lose their money, the show’s producers would profit. 

After finally convincing Leo to join him in this scheme, the duo set out to find a dud play, dud director and dud lead actor. 

And, boy, did they. 

From Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind (Mitchell King) who wrote “Springtime for Hitler…” an upbeat, pro-Hitler show, to failing outre’ director Roger De Bris (Daniel Megaffin) and his far-”out” assistant and companion, Carmen Ghia (Dan Winston), it looks like as if success will not be an option with this show. 

Then enters Ulla (Adria Urbanowicz) a knock-out Swedish actress seeking an audition.  Both wowed by this eye candy, they eventually place her in the show. And, wouldn’t you know it? Love blooms. Even for shy, insecure Leo Bloom. 

If all goes according to plan, both Max and Leo will be wallowing in ill-gotten money from their intentionally-planned train-wreck of a production. But the best laid plans… 

With words and music by Mel Brooks, the musical comedy was wonderfully directed and choreographed by Julia Kemp, who received from her gifted ensemble bubbly performances and joyful dance productions that an audience could only hope for. 

Hummable after-the-show-ended songs included: “We Can Do It” with Max and Leo; “Keep It Gay” with Roger, Carmen and others; “When You Got It, Flaunt It,” with Ulla singing her heart out and proudly showing off what she had to, well…flaunt.  

But “Springtime for Hitler” was the showstopper. Lead Tenor (Seamus Clerkin), Roger, Ulla and the ensemble cast gave it their all to this oddball song with funny props included (Example? Spinning red swastikas on Ulla’s ample bosom) in the faux show’s titular song. 

Everyone in the cast—from The Usherettes (Ari Palmiero and Grace Worley) at the show’s beginning to the Trustee (Lawrence Slagle) as one of the final members of the cast to mount the stage—gave the audience something to remember. 

Lead actors Seeley and Scandinaro give one another enough room for the other’s character to performances to shine while Urbanowicz must’ve brought her own fan club, as cheers and wild applause arose during some of her role. 

Not to be forgotten: King’s nutty Nazi, Franz, Megaffin’s flamboyant director, Roger De Bris and Winston, as Carmen Ghia, his “theatrical” partner in many ways. 

Praise for the Academy Theatre’s crew and cast for providing audiences with a worthwhile visit to see live theater on yet another, dismal gray Crawford County weekend.    

***G. Greenleaf 

The Producers continues through May 4. The Academy Theatre is located at 275 Chestnut St., Meadville. For more information visit www.TheAcademyTheatre.org 

END