The Producers at MLOC

The Producers at MLOC

Rehearsals are well under way for MLOC's production of Mel Brooks Musical The Producers, being presented from November 8 -16, 2013 at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood (Vic).

With a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, The Producers musical, based on a 1967 movie written by Mel Brooks, became a Broadway hit, running for 2,502 performances, and winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards, followed by a new musical movie in 2005 featuring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Urma Thurman.

The show tells of down and out Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, who coerces his nervous accountant Leo Bloom to put on "the worst show in history". As things turn out, the show is a hit and there are hysterical consequences.

MLOC was delighted when Jay Miller auditioned for the role of Carmen Ghia, because in the past he has appeared as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, Marcel in The Boyfriend and Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, over 11 years ago.

Since then, Jay has worked with many of Melbourne's non-professional companies, with highlights including CLOC Musical Theatre's All Shook Up, Dusty, The Boy From Oz, Mack & Mabel and My One and Only.  He played Miss Mason in Grease 2 Live in Concert, Miss Texas in SHooSh's Pageant and Miss Delilah Strict in Fab Nob's production of Zombie Prom, for which he received a Music Theatre Guild of Victoria nomination.

Jay also played Smee in Peter Pan at Ripponlea Lea Estate in the gardens, and has taken his one-man cabaret show around Victoria.  

Fellow principal performers include Michael Young (Max Bialystock), Matthew Hadgraft (Leo Bloom), Sarah Power (Ulla), Daniel Cooper (Franz Liebkind), John Davidson (Roger DeBris) and Clare Andrews (Hold Me-Touch Me).

MLOC's production is directed by Jane Court, with musical direction by Ian Nisbet and choreography by Taylor Hollands.

Director Court says The Producers is a perfect show for MLOC to present.

"We have a really talented, experienced cast who are making the most of Brooks' humour," she says.

"I am so pleased that The Producers is nearly here. It has been so much fun at rehearsal."

Typical of Mel Brooks' humour, the show is full of parody and farce.

Performance Season: November 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 8.00pm and November 10, 16 at 2.00pm.

Venue: Phoenix Theatre, 101 Glenhuntly Road, Elwood.

Tickets: $32 full price, $30 concession, $28 children under 15, $28  per person Group 15+.

Bookings: www.mloc.org.au or 9551 7514

Images (from top): left to right: Jay Miller (Carmen Ghia), Daniel Cooper (Franz Liebkind) and John Davidson (Roger DeBris); Jay Miller; from left to right: Matthew Hadgraft (Leo Bloom), Sarah Power (Ulla) and Michael Young (Max Bialystock) and Max (Michael Young) wants his cheque from Hold Me-Touch Me (Clare Andrews) in centre, joined by Karen Shnider (left) and Bobbie Gardner. Photographer: Trevor Lowther.

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