NEXT PRODUCTION - The Producers
THE PRODUCERS
A Mel Brooks Musical
Director - Gina Thorley
Musical Directors - Katie Hickson/Martin Patterson
Choreographer - Gina Thorley
To be performed at The Theatre Royal, Winchester
Wednesday 9th - Saturday 12th November 2022
Max Bialystock - Wesley Buckeridge
Leo Bloom - Nico Bray
Roger DeBris - Daniel Williams
Carmen Ghia - Simon Meanwell-Ralph
Franz Liebkind - David Tatnall
Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen Hallen Swaden Svanson - Molly Moffitt-McGrath
Featured Dancers - Amarantha Fennell-Wells, Kimberley James, Olivia Conroy, Rachel Potter
Adrian Hickford - Kevin the Costume Designer, Storm Trooper Mel
Amarantha Fennell-Wells - Scott the Choreographer
Amy Leddy - Police Sergeant, Funny Rejected Chorus Girl
Anne Croudass - Hold Me/Touch Me
Charlotte Upfold - Ticket Taker #1
Chris Salter - Auditionee - Jack (Wandering Minstrel)
Conner Handstock - Soloist Stormtrooper (Springtime for Hitler), Bryan the Set Designer
Cressida Bullough - Mr(s?) Marks (Leo's Boss)
Isabel Wylde - Ticket Taker #2
Juliet Surridge - Auditionee - Donald (Little Wooden Boy)
Kimberley James - Lick Me/Bite Me, Shirley the Lighting Designer
Lydia Simpson - Officer O'Reilly
Max Bullough - Auditionee - Jason (Haben Zeiger…)
Olivia Conroy - Usherette #1
Penny Bullough - Judge
Rachel Potter - Kiss Me/Feel Me
Sally Male - Prison Trustee
Shannon Cronin - Usherette #2
Steve Gleed - Storm Trooper Rolf, Solo Man First Nighter (Opening Night)
What is it about?
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks' classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, The Producers once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night.
The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive "Springtime for Hitler"), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.
With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"
Gina Thorley is excited to direct for WMOS for the first time and channel Winchester's talent into this hilarious musical! The production will be full of energy, over the top and unafraid of the camp, plus crammed with laughs!
