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"Technical flaws aside, ‘Producers’ is wildly entertaining"
By Jon Rice
For The News-Dispatch --Published: Friday, July 2, 2010 4:13 AM CDT
MICHIANA SHORES — Dunes Summer Theatre opens its 2010 summer season with a bang as “The Producers” lives up to its hype. Directed by Bob Cooley and Jeff Zimmerman, it captures the momentum of a train headed for disaster with hilarious results.
Based on the sidesplitting Mel Brooks movie starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, the story unfolds on Broadway as producer Max Bialystock, the former “King of Broadway,” is plagued by a string of flops and is lamenting his plight when fish-out-of-water accountant Leo Bloom arrives. The pair conceive a surefire plan to raise double the amount of backer funds, then purposely produce a Broadway flop. Their journey to assuring the show’s closing is half the fun. Cooley and Zimmerman open the show with a bold, in-your-face theatrical number that forces you to take notice. “King of Broadway” is the anchor song for Max Bialystock (masterfully played by Darren Serhal) and does not disappoint. Serhal presents all the traits one would expect from a down-and-out Broadway producer; however, he goes beyond that and conveys the reason behind his less than kosher behavior. His vocal talents are top notch and perfect for the character. Tony Sera as Leo Bloom is equally skilled in delivering a character that is funny on the page, yet has the heart to be appealing. Never over the top, Sera brings a simple honesty to this panic attack-stricken accountant longing for deliverance from a mundane existence. He shines during “I Wanna Be a Producer,” perfectly capturing the suave, debonair gent Leo wants to be.
Serhal and Sera are an excellent duo who work well off each other without fighting for center stage. “Along Came Bialy,” by the way, is worth the price of admission. I am not going to ruin the surprise, except to say the unconventional choreography is spot on. Cooley and Zimmerman do not disappoint with “Springtime for Hitler,” presenting it in its full, unabashed glory. Jeff Schmidt’s “Stormtrooper” dance is one of the many highlights of the night. Hats off to the costume designer, although it is hard to tell who that is from the Showbill. Let’s just say, the bratwurst had me in tears. This number also would not be a success without the versatile ensemble. Worth praising as well is the choreography by Dwayne Everett Johnson, quite a feat for such a large cast. Although I enjoyed The Producers immensely, the production could have been better executed, especially in terms of the pace. Cooley and Zimmerman place the wildly talented orchestra top and center stage. I understand the idea of adding to the theatrical feel of the production, yet the approach distracts from the action. The musicians also overpowered vocalists who were not as strong as others, leaving Dunes’ anemic sound system to compensate, which it did not. As such, annoying feedback and uneven vocals took away from the production.
Other quibbles. The lighting design suffered because the upstage action is so dimly lit. It was difficult to see the actors. There also were the noisiest set changes I have ever heard in a production. During the quiet and moving number “Betrayed,” Serhal had to tolerate what sounded like Christ dragging His wooden cross across the stage to Calvary — yikes! Hopefully, Dunes has addressed these minor distractions. “The Producers,” for the most part, is polished, perfectly balanced and utterly enjoyable.
Pres Release: “THE PRODUCERS” OPENS AT DUNES SUMMER THEATRE
The Tony-winning Broadway hit, Mel Brooks’ ‘The Producers,” opens at the Dunes Summer Theatre on June 25 for three weekends and eight performances on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. This is the first production of this show in the region, and the Dunes is thrilled to open its summer season with this blockbuster musical.
“The Producers” stars Darren Serhal as Max Bialystock, Tony Serra as Leo Bloom, and Christine Widuger as the blonde bombshell Ulla. It features Renee Gardner as a sexy little old lady, Larry Hinken as 'Keep it Gay' director Roger DeBries, Jeff Schmidt as a Storm Trooper, and Nick Thomas as Carmen Ghia, and Brandon Berk as Franz with a large cast of dancing girls, dancing little old ladies, and who can forget ‘Springtime for Hitler.’ Directed by Bob Cooley with musical direction by Jim Mollin, this show is ‘role-in-the-aisle’ funny and a perfect way to kick-off the summer.
“The Producers” the musical, is adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks’ 1968 film of the same name. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be a hit. The humor of this show is accessible to a wide range of audiences as it draws on ridiculous accents and stereotypical caricatures in the typical Brooks’ fashion.
The Dunes Summer Theatre continues its summer season with “Lend Me A Tenor” opening July 16 and “Evita” opening August 13. The Dunes’ box office opens at 1:00 Tuesday – Sunday. The phone number is 219-879-7509 and see the website at www.dunessummertheatre.com for more information. It is located on Shady Oak Drive in Michiana Shores, just off Highway 12 and Old Grand Beach Road, between Michigan City IN and New Buffalo MI.
Showtimes are 8:00 Fridays and Saturdays, 7:00 Sundays. There will be no performance on July 4. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors / students.
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