CurtainUp
The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features,
Annotated Listings
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CurtainUp The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features,
Annotated Listings |
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A CurtainUp NJ Review
The Producers
Once you settle down to laughing at almost everything that transpires in the show as well as in the infamous show within the show in, you can begin to appreciate the artistry that has gone into this stupendous production at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Over the years, many terrific performers have followed the lauded originators of the two principal roles— Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. Now a superb Michael Kostroff is Max Bialystock the luckless impresario of a string of Broadway flops. In his manner and style, he made me think I could be watching Brooks himself on stage. This is not to suggest that Brooks could actually do what Kostroff is doing in either in song, dance or shtick, but there is the undeniable essence of Brooks in his interpretation. The hugely talented Kostroff is making his fourth appearance at the Paper Mill but is probably best known for his five year stint on HBO's The Wire. He has a better than decent voice and although much less manic than Lane was, lands every joke and careens through the inanity with comical dexterity. David Josefsberg, as the nebbish/nervous accountant Leo Bloom confirms that he's no second banana right from the get-go, in the exuberantly antic " We Can Do It" in which he allows himself to be conned by Bialystock into becoming his partner in producing a money-making flop. Josefsberg is also endearingly nimble when he puts on his dancing shoes. He continues in full throttle in the next scene in the accounting office in which he imagines himself as a producer flanked by a bevy of chorus girls who magically emerge out of the office cabinets. It is cleverly staged, as is the riotous furniture-bounding song and dance in which he is seduced by the gorgeous, blonde, sexy and very Swedish and even more nimble Ulla, as played by the terrific Ashley Spencer. No production of The Producers succeeds without a memorable collection of outstanding farceurs. Here they include Kevin Pariseau, as the garishly gay director Roger DeBris, Mark Price as his prancing and posing partner Carmen Ghia. The wonderful John Tracy Egan was in his own demented world as the Nazi Franz Lieblind whose script for " Springtime for Hitler" is turned into the musical's purposely offensive centerpiece. This production is as close to the Broadway version as it is ever going to get.Bill Burns has re-created Susan Stroman's original choreography, and Don Stephenson has masterfully recreated Stroman's original direction. The recreated costume designs by William Ivey Long remain knock-outs. The scenery, based on Robin Wagner's still striking original designs, glitters under the lighting design by John Lasiter. Musical direction by James Moore was splendid as was the sound design by Randy Hansen. The Producers continues to strike me as one of the funniest shows in my lifetime. Winner of last season's Tony Award for Best Regional Theater, the Paper Mill Playhouse has started their new season with a smash. |
Search CurtainUp in the box below PRODUCTION NOTES The Producers Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks Directed by Don Stephenson (based on original direction by Susan Stroman) Cast of Principals: Michael Kostroff (Max Bialystock), David Josefsberg (Leo Bloom), John Treacy Egan (Franz Liebkind), Mark Price (Carmen Ghia), Kevin Pariseau (Roger De Bris), Ashley Spencer (Ulla) Scenery: Robin Wagner Costumes: William Ivey Long Lighting Design: John Lasiter Sound Design: Randy Hansen Production Stage Manager: Gary Mickelson Music Director: James Moore Choreography: Bill Burns (based on original choreography by Susan Stroman) Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes including intermission Paper Mill Playhouse, Brookside Drive, Millburn, N.J. (973) 376 - 4343 Tickets: From $32.00 Performances: Wednesday at 7:30 Thursday at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 1:30 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 pm and 7 pm. From 09/28/16 Opened 10/02/16 Ends 10/23/16 Review by Simon Saltzman based on performance 10/02/16 NJ CONNECTIONS NJ Theaters NJ Theatre Alliance Discount Tix Information REVIEW FEEDBACK Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
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