THE PRODUCERS

By Diana Simmonds

April 2 2025

THE PRODUCERS, Hayes Theatre Co and Joshua Robson Productions at the Hayes Theatre 1-27 April (transfers to Riverside Parramatta 15-18 May 2025). Photography by Grant Leslie

Who can forget Katz, Death of a Salesman on Ice, Maim, Funny Boy or She Stupps to Conquer - to name but a few of the Broadway smash hits for which we must thank uber producers Max Bialystock (Anton Berezin) and Leo Bloom (Des Flanagan).

And now, Hayes Theatre Co reminds us where it all began – with what is arguably the most tasteless, offensive, and objectionable musical theatre classic in the canon. It is of course, The Producers, with music and lyrics by the great Mel Brooks and music by him and Thomas Meehan.

The moving story of how Bialystock and Bloom gave Broadway and the world the life-changing show Springtime For Hitler, is told over two hours-50 minutes including interval. It begins with downtrodden accountant Leo arriving at Max’s office to do the books. Max wants him to cook the books, but Leo cannot countenance such a thing. Instead and inadvertently he comes up with a scheme that will ensure money in the bank and the sweet life: find a terrible show, hire the worst director, a dreadful cast, and ensure a total flop.

Springtime For Hitler, written by delusional, Nazi pigeon fancier Franz Liebkind (Jordan Shea) is the answer. It will fail horribly and quickly thus swindling Max’s sex-mad little old lady investors out of their dough. As the world knows, it didn’t happen that way even though in director Roger de Bris (Blake Erickson) and his assistant Carmen Ghia (Mikey Sakinofsky) Max secured the services of the very worst theatre professionals in New York. Meanwhile, however, they accidentally make one excellent hire: a Swedish would-be actress who agrees to be the secretary-receptionist in the interim: Ulla (Alexandra Cashmere).

Unfortunately for our pair of putzes, Springtime For Hitler (did you know his full name was actually Adolph Elizabeth Hitler?) is a smash hit, both on stage and with the Hayes audience as many weep – with laughter – when not gasping in disbelief as the goose-stepping, Elon Musk-saluting chorus line does its thing. It’s a spectacle without parallel as the most appalling tyrant in modern European history is mercilessly lampooned in the cause of uproarious laughter.

For those who love The Producers (the movies or the later stage musical), you’ve come to the right place to be re-immersed in Mel Brooks’ crazy genius. For those exposed for the first time – and the gasps on opening night revealed them – how lucky that this is such a riotously good production. Directed by Julia Robertson with all the verve and smarts of originator Susan (12 Tonys) Stroman, and with pricelessly witty choreography by Shannon Burns, immaculate orchestration and performance from the hidden band under musical director Osibi Akerejola, the evening skips by.

The principals’ performances are glorious, from indefatigable conman Anton Berezin and hopeless-to-heartthrob Des Flanagan to eye-wateringly gorgeous triple threat Alexandra Cashmere, gay as a maypole Blake Erickson, camp as a row of tents Mikey Sakinofsky and more Nazi than Goebbels, Jordan Shea. They are all spectacularly good and with the company of Wendy-Lee Purdy (Hold-Me-Touch-Me), Spencer Cliff, Clancy Enchelmaier, Genevieve Goldman, Joshua Gordon, Ashton Lash, Joe Meldrum and Paloma Renouf they turn the Hayes into Shubert-like Broadway – aided by the hilariously versatile and rickety set (Nick Fry), Great White Way lighting (Ryan McDonald), exceedingly apposite costumes (Benedict Janeczko-Taylor), and sound design that ensures voices aren’t lost to the band (Zac Saric).

In this age of tender, melting snowflakes and the professionally offended, it’s a joy to be assaulted by the non-stop shock and awe of outrageously distasteful jokes and brilliance. As Max Bialystock would say: “Don't Miss! Must See! Get Your Tickets!” or “Be There! Don’t Wait!” or “Tickets Selling Fast, Once-in-a-Lifetime! The Hit Show, Breathtaking!” or “Unforgettable!” You have been warned.