The Producers

Click here to get to a photo gallery of the performances.  Then click the Slideshow button.  Photos by Bob Pizzano.

A sleazy Broadway producer and his sidekick try to strike it rich by putting on the worst show ever … but not all goes according to plan!  This is the hilarious comic setup for Mel Brooks’ hit musical comedy The Producers.  The Theatre Company of Saugus mounted this show in November 2012, providing the north-of-Boston audience their first opportunity to see it, as well as the Boston-area community-theater premier.

The Producers won twelve Tony Awards in 2001, including Best Musical, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, and original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.  It ran for six years on Broadway, for three years in London, and was filmed in 2005.  It is based on a 1968 non-musical film by Mel Brooks.  (For more info about the show, see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_(musical) ).

The cast included many community theatre veterans.  David Giagrando starred as Max Bialystock, the former “King of Old Broadway”, now a producer of box office poison.  His anxious assistant Leo Bloom, who secretly dreams “I Wanna Be a Producer”, was played Gregory Cushing.  The playwright of their disastrous script is by the dangerous eccentric Franz Liebkind, portrayed by Bobby Imperato, who demonstrated how to dance “Der Guten Tag Hop Clop”. 

Max and Leo hire the most outlandish director they know, Roger DeBris, played by Nick Raponi, who says to make a good show you must “Keep It Gay”.  His fruitcake assistant agrees:  Carmen Ghia, played by Billy Thompson.   They also hire Ulla, a delicious Swedish showgirl/secretary/receptionist, played by Kristy DiScipio, because she says “When You’ve Got, Flaunt It”.  Max gets dozens of Little Old Ladies to invest in his shows, such as Hold Me Touch Me, played by Lisa Pizzano.

Many other roles were played by the members of the Ensemble, which includes Ashley Aceto, Carol Aceto, Amanda Allen, Lauren Amaru, Brian Cipoletta, Joey Doherty, Christopher Doucette, Nola Fafard, Nicole Felix, Marissa Geller, Tia Girardi, Paul Gymziak, Ginny LeBlanc, Lori L’Italien, Matthew Ludwig,Thomas Muxie, Fred Nuzzo, Brendan O’Connor, Kathy Rapino, and Kathleen Tringale.

Other favorite musical numbers from the show include “We Can Do It”, “Along Came Bialy”, “That Face”, “Its Bad Luck to Say Good Luck on Opening Night”, “Betrayed”, and “Prisoners of Love”.  And, of course, the outrageous showstopper, “Springtime for Hitler”!

The stage director of The Producers was Joanne Fafard.  The musical director was Brian Nickerson.  A team of choreographers directed the show’s many dances, including Amanda Allen, Kristy DiScipio, and Marissa Geller.  Tap dance choreography was by Crystal Joyce and Samantha Brior-Jones.  The producer of the TCS production was Amanda Allen, assisted by Lisa Felix.  The stage manager was Larry Segel, assisted by Jessica Stockton.  Technical direction, including the set and lighting design, was by Michael Texeira.  Costumes by Amanda Allen.  Props coordination by Matt Ludwig.  Hair and makeup by Nola Fafard.

The Theatre Company of Saugus production of The Producers opened on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM.  There were two shows on Saturday, November 10, a matinée at 2:00 PM, and in the evening at 8:00 PM.  The following weekend had evening performances on Friday and Saturday, November 16 & 17 at 8:00 PM, and a matinée on Sunday, November 18 at 2:00 PM. 

The location was Saugus High School, on Pearce Memorial Drive, near the intersection of Main Street and US Route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts.  For directions to the venue please see our Directions page.

Tickets were $20 for adults, or $15 for seniors and students.  To purchase or reserve tickets, please see our Tickets page.

Parents of children under 12 are cautioned that the show includes some rude words and gestures.   

We did a huge raffle of authentic The Producersmemorabilia, including the DVD, an original Broadway soundtrack, a script signed by the movie cast, an original record from the 1968 movie, and a CD sleeve signed by Mel Brooks (with letter of provenance included)!!  Raffle tickets were only $5 per entry.  The winning tickets were pulled at the final show on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

Click here for press photos of the show.

Click here to download the flyer.