Max Bialystock is in a slump. The once King of Broadway producers hasn’t had a hit show in a long time. But in show business one has to ride out the ebbs and flows, unless of course, your accountant arrives to do the books and proclaims, “… Under the right circumstances a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit.” Fleetwood Community Theatre (FCT) is taking on this larger than life production July 21, 22, and 23.
Inspired and hungry, Max and Leo plan to create the “Worst Show In Town.” They find the worst script ever written, hire the worst director in New York City and raise two million dollars from Max’s very special group of financial backers. Let’s face it, what could go right with a show about Adolf Hitler? Oddly enough… Everything.
The inspiration came from actual people Mel Brooks met during his early show business days; one producer who financed his plays by sleeping with elderly women became the basis for Max Bialystock, while the plot had origins in two other theater producers who had a lavish lifestyle while making various unsuccessful plays. When imagining what play “would have people packing up and leaving the theatre even before the first act is over,” Brooks decided to combine Adolf Hitler and a musical. Brooks draws on the humor of stereotypes in “The Producers” – Germans, Swedes, homosexuals, directors, actors, playwrights, little old ladies and of course, producers.
It was David Geffen who convinced Brooks to turn his movie into a stage musical. Although the musical includes scenes and jokes taken from the original 1968 film, there are many differences: The film was set in 1968 – the musical is set in 1959; the character Lorenzo St. Dubois, a hippie who played Hitler, is omitted from the 2001 musical; Max and Leo plan to procure $1,000,000 in the film but in the musical it has become $2,000,000; Ulla is more than just the mindless bimbo of the movie; and Franz Liebkind is portrayed more sympathetically and comes to a happier ending than his 1968 counterpart. Overall, the musical is more upbeat than the original film.
Cast in the role of Max Bialystock is veteran Berks county actor, Stan Durlak. Durlak has been performing since his days at Reading High. He has been seen in other FCT productions including “Bye Bye Birdie” (Mr. McAfee), “Lend Me A Tenor” (Tito Merelli) and “You Can’t Take It With You” (Mr. Kirby). Barely able to contain his excitement about landing a dream role in one of his favorite shows, Durlak works Max’s unethical and less than scrupulous antics only until he realizes he’s been beaten at his own game, by his protege Leo Bloom.
Kutztown native David Erb portrays Leo Bloom. Erb has been performing since he was 10 years old – when he played “Chip” in Kutztown High School’s “Beauty and The Beast.” Eight years later, he played Captain VonTrapp in the school’s 2013 production of “The Sound of Music.” As the young, anxiety ridden Bloom, Erb is dreaming of becoming a Broadway producer since seeing Max’s show “Baily-Hoos of 1942” when he was a child. But, did he ever imagine that he would plant the seed for the worst business scheme in theatre and then help bring it to fruition? Leo returns to the accounting office and daydreams the big song and dance number “I Wanna Be A Producer.” He chooses to trade in his dull life for the glitz and glamour of Broadway and follow his dream under the misguidance of Max.
Finding the worst script ever written is nothing compared to meeting its playwright. Franz Leibkind, played by Steve Reazor from Reading, is a Nazi-German loyalist who wrote the musical “Springtime for Hitler.” Franz is a bit unstable, even all these years after the war; he shows a deep passion for a man most of the world considered vile. He is overjoyed that finally someone has realized the beauty of his tribute to “you-know-who.” When Franz’s leg is actually broken on opening night, he doesn’t appreciate the embellished performance of Roger DeBris of his beloved Fuhrer and shows up yielding a gun and planning to shoot the production team.
Roger DeBris is the worst director in New York City. His flamboyance and eccentricity are exactly what Max and Leo want to make “Springtime For Hitler” an even bigger disaster than it was written to be. Wooed by the promise to “Keep It Gay!” Roger and his colorful production team embark on creating a sequined and colorful version of World War II. Roger is played by a Lehigh county resident, Todd Carpian. His resume is long and colorful, not unlike that of Roger’s. Last seen with FCT as “Mr. Darling” in “Peter Pan,” Carpian also played “Buffalo Bill” in FCT’s “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Sir Danvers Carew” in their “Jekyll & Hyde.”
And what would show business be without the actress who lands the lead by sleeping with the boss? Enter Ulla, the beautiful Swede who shows up for an audition to proclaim “If You Got It Flaunt It” and gets a receptionist job until they can cast the show. Emilee Cooper, from Antietam High School, has the joy of playing the blond-bombshell Ulla. Cooper has been nominated to the 2016 Berks County YNOT Awards for her role as “Fastrada” in “Pippin.” This is Cooper’s first show with Fleetwood Community Theatre, and she is also excited for the opportunity to play this over-the-top character.
Fleetwood Community Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization of theatre lovers currently in their 29th season. FCT is committed to the education and development of their membership within the theatre arts program by offering opportunities to all ages both on-stage and behind the scenes. As an outlet of quality musical, dramatic and ensemble productions, it encourages and supports local youth to pursue performing arts opportunities through school, church, collegiate or other local productions.
Tara Sands is directing this talent packed cast in her first musical with Fleetwood. She has been directing with them since 2001 when she took on the classic “On Golden Pond.” She has since directed the classic favorites of “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Steel Magnolias,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Lend Me A Tenor” and “A Few Good Men,” just to name a few.
“This show isn’t done much in community theatre because it requires lots of men, lots of sets and even more costumes,” she said. “Reading Civic Theatre was the last Berks County theatre to stage this show eight years ago. It was time to bring it back to the area and give our theatre friends a reason to join us for great music, great comedy and great performances.”
The Music is under direction of Aimee Deibert. Deibert has worked with Berks Opera Workshop, Antietam High School, Antietam Community Theatre, Wilson West Middle School and Genesius Theatre.
The show will be on stage in Fleetwood July 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. each night, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. It is one weekend only at the Fleetwood Area High School Auditorium, 803 N. Richmond Street. For tickets, please call 484-637-7067 or visit our website, www.fleetwoodcommunitytheatre.com. The best seats are available by purchasing in advance.
