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 The Academy for the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach Union High School has just delivered a smashing, resounding
first weekend success with their superb production of Mel Brook’s outrageous musical comedy, “The Producers.” The
show, directed by Tim Nelson, runs for one more weekend, October 21st through 23rd at the Historic Auditorium and
Bell Tower at HB High School.
The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with music
and lyrics written by Brooks himself. The story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by
overselling interests in a Broadway show, which they hope will flop. Complications arise when the show unexpectedly
turns out to be successful. The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, caricatures of homosexuals, Nazis, and
many show business inside jokes.
Although the musical includes many scenes and comedy taken from the film, there are also a few differences. The film
was set in the present day of its release, 1968. In the original film, Max and Leo seek to procure $1,000,000. In
the musical, it has become $2,000,000. Ulla has a much larger role in the musical 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, which was a darker comedy. At the 2001 Tony Awards, The Producers won 12 out of its 15
nominations, setting the record for most nominations and wins in history, becoming one of the few musicals to win in
every category for which it was nominated.
The premise of the production is that Broadway musicals flop all the time. “A producer can make more money with a
flop than a hit,” explains Max Bialystock (played by Adrian Villegas), once called the King of Broadway, and now a
middle-aged, failed producer, writer and director, to a young accountant, Leo Bloom (Austin Schulte), who has come
to audit Max’s books.
While examining Max’s books, Leo discovers a $2000 error. Max has actually made $2000 on a show that is a complete
failure. Max cajoles Leo into cooking the books, by hinting that they form a partnership. Leo confesses to Max that it
has always been his dream to become a Hollywood producer. Max then proposes the ultimate scheme:
“Step 1: We find the worst play ever written. Step 2: We hire the worst director in town. Step 3: We raise two
million dollars...One for me, one for you. There are a lot of little old ladies out there! Step 4: We hire the worst
actors in New York and open on Broadway and before you can say Step 5, we close on Broadway, take our two million, and
go to Rio!”
Leo refuses to immediately step up to Max’s scheme, but continues to daydream about the prospects of becoming a
theatrical producer. Within a short time, Leo makes the decision to quit his job and joins Max as his partner,
singing “I Wanna Be a Producer.” These two new partners put their heads together and search for the worst musical play
possible, and after hours of fruitless search, the perfect flop finally falls into their hands – one of the most
completely tasteless, racist, sexist musical of all times, called “Springtime for Hitler.”
The next day, the two ambitious producers head for the rooftops of Greenwich Village to meet with the slightly off
Ex-Nazi author/playwright, Franz Liebkind (Coleton Ray), and his playful pigeons Otto, Bertha, Heinz, Wolfgang and
Adolf. Franz demands a litany of conditions to be fulfilled before he will sign the contract, including that Max and
Leo join the Nazi Party! Before they can get Franz to finally complete the contract giving them the right to
mount the show, they have to join Franz in singing Hitler’s favorite song, “Der Guten Tag Hop Clop”. Following the
signing of the contract, they escape the rooftop revelry with the signed contract in hand, now headed for the
exclusive townhouse of Roger DeBris (Adam Blanchard), admittedly the worst flaming gay director in New York. They
need to sign Roger to direct the show, upon which Roger insists that he has full license to change the outcome of
the war in the show, so that Hitler wins it. The scene is enhanced immensely with the over the top mannerisms of
Roger’s partner, Carmen Ghia, colorfully played by Marcus Veyette.
After they return to their office, a most beautiful blond Swedish goddess named Ulla (alternately played by Allison
Bossart and Tessa Rawlinson) shows up to try out for their new production, who they decide to hire to clean the
office. Eventually she is given the lead part of Eva Braun. Act 2 highlights the show Springtime for Hitler in all its
crazy glory. Hitler is of course played by the flamboyant director DeBris, who sings the self-serving "Heil Myself,"
reminiscent of Judy Garland. Author Liebkind is originally chosen by Max to play Hitler, but due to an unfortunate
accident, he breaks his leg and Max then asks DeBris to play Hitler. The swastika choreography at the end is
displayed to the audience via a projector that is raised, à la A Chorus Line. Franz waits until after the performance
to confront the producers, and although hobbling with a broken leg, attempts to kill them under the accusation of
making a fool out of Hitler. Unfortunately, he breaks his other leg while trying to run away from the police. Max
ends up in jail, Leo and Ulla flee to Rio, but all ends well at the trial as Leo comes through for Max.
“The Producers” is a terrific show in every respect, a laugh a minute, that gets more insane with every passing
scene. There was no important take-aways that was noted, other than an occasional mis-step in the group numbers or
something that fell on the floor accidentally. The level of talent was actually astonishing and vocals were amazing in
each of the 27 musical numbers. The direction by Tim Nelson was really quite brilliant and the casting was perfect. The
costumers, led by Courtney Gilio, were superbly fitted and blended perfectly into that era. Scenic designer Molly
Godlewski produced a set that was not only exact in detail but also seamless in scene change. The lighting by Faith
Burke, again outstanding. Choreographer and APA Director Diane Makas, along with Tim Nelson, excelled in
coordination, especially in the musical numbers. And the 34 piece orchestra under the direction of Gregg Gilboe seemed
flawless in presenting the score.
The Producers from this award winning school plays through October 23rd, which will be the closing performance. Don’t
miss it! I guarantee it will be a night remembered!
Performed October 14 - 23, 2016
Photos by Nancy Hickey
Chris Daniels
National Youth Arts
~ Cast ~
Add Artist Page
Max Bialystock: Adrian Villegas
Leo Blum: Austin Schulte
Roger De Bris: Adam Blanchard
Carmen Ghia: Marcus Veyette
Ulla: Allison Bossart/Tessa Rawlinson (alternating)
Franz Liebkind: Coleton Ray
Springtime Stormtrooper: Sam Melvin
Usherettes: Sophia Courtemarche/Kat Lewis/Cassidy Love/Autumn Thelander
Hold Me Touch Me: Annalise Fox
Lick Me Bite Me: Hannah Schooner
Kiss Me Feel Me: Mollie Mersh
Blind Violinist: Calvin Proctor
FIRST NIGHTERS: Mayron Ayenew, Lauren Beebe,
Kelsey Colburn, Sierra Darwin, Danny Duarte, Anna Fujii,
Alex McCrimmon, Bailee O'Connell, Claire Sala, Sophia
Santana, Bella Saporito, Hannah Schooner, Tani Song, Isabel
Ucar, Kai Arroyo, Will Boyer, Daryn Nguyen, Dylan Schmoll,
Austin Skaggs, Chris Vournas, Lucas Wilson
WORKMAN: Damon Williams
COP: Sam Melvin
NEWSIES: Jacob Kurihara, Sean
McCrimmon, Matthew Rangel
 BAG LADIES: Juju Foster, Chyna Gudgel
BUM: Michael Kriesel
2 NUNS: Lizzie Hearn, Mollie Hersh
STREET CLEANER: Blake Laszlo
SAILOR: Jordan Halloran, Seth Merrill
STREET WALKERS: Brenna Donovan, Malia
Merrill, Jessie Ruggiero, Helen Thome
BOBBY SOXERS: Rylie Herbel, Darla Jacobs,
Dorothea Seibert Von Fock, Marlee Tierney
WAITRESS: Allison Bossart, Tessa
Rawlinson
SALVATION ARMY LADY: Victoria Stewart
NURSE: Maddie Jackson
CPA: Will Boyer-Montgomery
PA'S: Danny Duarte, Michael
Kriesel, Blake Laszlo, Daryn Nguyen, Damon Williams
SHOWGIRLS: Sophia Courtemarche, Brenna
Donovan, Lizzie Hearn, Rylie Herbel, Kat Lewis, Cassidy
Love, Malia Merrill, Jessie Ruggiero, Dorothea Seibert Von
Fock, Autumn Thelander, Helen Thome, Marlee Tierney
NOT YOU GIRL: Delaney Raupp
PIGEON PUPPETS: Mayron Ayenew, Lauren Beebe,
Maggie Keller, Alex McCrimmon, Sophia Santana, Lauren
Watkins
BRYAN: Damon Williams
KEVIN: Blake Laszlo
SCOTT: Sam Melvin, Sean McCrimmon
SHIRLEY: Bailee O'Connell
SABU: Kai Arroyo
INDIAN IN HEADDRESS: Jordan Halloran
SAILOR: Seth Merrill
SUNGLASSED POLICEMAN: Jacob Kurihara
LITTLE OLD LADIES: Lauren Beebe, Kelsey Colburn,
Jordyn Fletcher, Juju Foster, Anna Fujii, Grace Gillett,
Chyna Gudgel, Maddie Jackson, Maggie Keller, Marina
Loukatos, Jessie Patzlaff, Delaney Raupp, Emma Rutkowski,
Jordan Schochet, Tani Song, Amanda Sprowls, Mallory Stiles,
Lauren Watkins, Maddie Webb
REHEARSAL PIANIST: Tiffany Dennis
JACK LAPIDUS: Dylan Schmoll
DONALD DINSMORE: Austin Skaggs
JASON GREEN: Calvin Proctor
DANCING HITLERS: Will Boyer-Montgomery, Mia
Buck, Danny Duarte, Chloe Hubbard, Maggie Keller, Marina
Loukatos, Delaney Raupp, Sophia Santana, Sheridan
Scarborough, Lauren Watkins
TICKET TAKER: Tegan Kennedy
TENOR STORMTROOPER: Sam Melvin, Michael Kriesel
BAVARIAN PEASANTS: Lauren Beebe, Sarah Beilicki,
Kelsey Colburn, Sierra Darwin, Cara Fitzgerald, Annalise
Fox, Anna Fujii, Grace Gillett, Maddie Jackson, Darla
Jacobs, Monique Miley, Emma Rutkowski, Bella Saporito, Tani
Song, Sydney Stapp, Mallory Stiles, Isabel Ucar, Kai
Arroyo, Jordan Halloran, Jacob Kurihara, Michael Kriesel,
Daryn Nguyen, Dylan Schmoll, Austin Skaggs
FOLLIES GIRLS: Sophia Courtemarche, Brenna
Donovan, Malia Merrill, Helen Thome
STORMTROOPER ROLF: Sean McCrimmon
STORMTROOPER MEL: Seth Merrill
TAP DANCE STORMTROOPERS: Lizzie Hearn, Mollie Hersh,
Anneliese Leach, Kat Lewis, Sydney Milo, Jessie Patzlaff,
Matthew Rangel, Jessie Ruggiero, Jordan Schochet, Autumn
Thelander
STALIN: Damon Williams
CHURCHILL: Blake Laszlo
FDR: Lucas Wilson
PRECISION STORMTROOPERS: Jordyn Fletcher, Juju Foster,
Chyna Gudgel, Rylie Herbel, Cassidy Love, Alex McCrimmon,
Bailee O'Connell, Hannah Schooner, Natalie Segundo,
Dorothea Siebert Von Frock, Natasha Sokoloff, Amanda
Sprowls, Victoria Stewart, Marlee Tierney, Bella Volkov,
Chris Vournes, Maddie Webb
SERGEANT: Will Boyer-Montgomery
OFFICER O'ROURKE: Damon Williams
OFFICER O'RILEY: Blake Laszlo
OFFICER O'HOULIHAN: Danny Duarte
GUARD IN JAIL: Daryn Nguyen
JUDGE: Dylan Schmoll
FOREMAN OF THE JURY: Michael Kriesel
PIT SINGERS: Sarah Beilicki, Mia Buck,
Tiffany Dennis, Cara Fitzgerald, Chloe Hubbard, Tegan
Kennedy, Alicia Mansfield, Sydney Milo, Sheridan
Scarbourough, Natalia Segundo, Natasha Sokoloff, Sydney
Stapp, Bella Volkov, Josie Yadrick
Director: Tim Nelson
Costume Designer: Courtney Gilio/Danielle Bazan/Julia Capelle
Hair/Makeup Designer: Courtney Gilio
Set Designer: Molly Godlewski
Lighting Designer: Faith Burke
Sound Designer: Sydney McWilliams/Sam Parks
Choreographer: Diane Makas/Tim Nelson
Musical Direction: Tim Nelson
Orchestra Conductor: Gregg Gilboe
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