2008 Woodie Awards
Audience Loves 'The Producers'
Scott Waldyn
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: The Edge
A one-night performance of Mel Brooks' "The Producers" stunned, thrilled and delighted audiences at Western Hall last Friday.
Although it was not a very crowded performance, those who did attend were given a treat. "The Producers" incited non-stop (and well-deserved) laughs with its quick wit, offensive humor and stellar visual energy.
Originally released as a hit, cutting-edge comedy in 1968, the cinematic triumph was reworked and modernized for the stage in 2001. Brooks expanded the plot, updated some of the jokes for more contemporary audiences (while keeping the setting in 1959) and beefed up the music numbers, releasing a production that won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. After a run on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, as well as a movie release of the musical in 2005, "The Producers" is traveling around the country on a national tour.
Luckily for fans and avid theatergoers, the show, presented by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, was tapped for a performance in Macomb.
"We see what's available and have a selection process every February," said BCA treasurer Erin McCormic. "Faculty, staff, students, members of BCA and campus organizations vote on plays they want to see."
Even though the players were not the original Broadway cast members, the actors were nothing short of talented and dedicated. While certainly no Lane, Jason Simon managed to command his own clout as the greedy, thieving Max Bialystock - reinventing the character somewhat to fit Simon's stage presence. Opposite him, Austin Owen was able to pull off a wormy, cowering Leo Bloom even better than Broderick.
"I thought it was hilarious," said sophomore English education major Amber Watkins. "It was much better than I expected it to be. The cast was amazing."
The only wrench in this traveling cast's mechanics was a rather dull performance of Mr. Marks, Bloom's boss, by Jamie Westberry. His portrayal was unbelievably non-threatening - to a point that it could have taken away from the show. This slight trip in the production still failed to put a dent in the feeling that pervaded the air: one of pure captivation.
The energy and effort put forth made one forget he or she was sitting in Western Hall. Instead, it absorbed viewers in an outrageous, silly, twisted cartoon that set the evening on a high note.
"The Producers" is one of the best musicals out there, and it more than proved it with its brilliant humor and intense stage dynamics.
At the end of the show, one couldn't help happily singing along to "Springtime for Hitler" and thinking of the cannons that descended on the audience, firing out streamers and confetti to an amused crowd.
Although it was not a very crowded performance, those who did attend were given a treat. "The Producers" incited non-stop (and well-deserved) laughs with its quick wit, offensive humor and stellar visual energy.
Originally released as a hit, cutting-edge comedy in 1968, the cinematic triumph was reworked and modernized for the stage in 2001. Brooks expanded the plot, updated some of the jokes for more contemporary audiences (while keeping the setting in 1959) and beefed up the music numbers, releasing a production that won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. After a run on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, as well as a movie release of the musical in 2005, "The Producers" is traveling around the country on a national tour.
Luckily for fans and avid theatergoers, the show, presented by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, was tapped for a performance in Macomb.
"We see what's available and have a selection process every February," said BCA treasurer Erin McCormic. "Faculty, staff, students, members of BCA and campus organizations vote on plays they want to see."
Even though the players were not the original Broadway cast members, the actors were nothing short of talented and dedicated. While certainly no Lane, Jason Simon managed to command his own clout as the greedy, thieving Max Bialystock - reinventing the character somewhat to fit Simon's stage presence. Opposite him, Austin Owen was able to pull off a wormy, cowering Leo Bloom even better than Broderick.
"I thought it was hilarious," said sophomore English education major Amber Watkins. "It was much better than I expected it to be. The cast was amazing."
The only wrench in this traveling cast's mechanics was a rather dull performance of Mr. Marks, Bloom's boss, by Jamie Westberry. His portrayal was unbelievably non-threatening - to a point that it could have taken away from the show. This slight trip in the production still failed to put a dent in the feeling that pervaded the air: one of pure captivation.
The energy and effort put forth made one forget he or she was sitting in Western Hall. Instead, it absorbed viewers in an outrageous, silly, twisted cartoon that set the evening on a high note.
"The Producers" is one of the best musicals out there, and it more than proved it with its brilliant humor and intense stage dynamics.
At the end of the show, one couldn't help happily singing along to "Springtime for Hitler" and thinking of the cannons that descended on the audience, firing out streamers and confetti to an amused crowd.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jamie Westberry
posted 5/07/08 @ 5:47 PM CST
While I enjoy the rave reviews of the show and how wonderful the audience was that night I believe some of your facts are out of order. The night of that performance the role of Franz was played by the understudy, Jamie Westberry . (Continued…)
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