"The Producers" Flaunts It at Theatre By the Sea

Matunuck -- Theatre By the Sea knows that "When You've Got It, Flaunt It," and boy do they have it! They've saved the best for last, making The Producers the final show of the 2017 season.

Based on the 1967 movie by the same name starring the Zero Mostel and the late great Gene Wilder, The Producers has won more Tony Awards than any other musical, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor, Best Featured Actress, and Best Choreography. With hilarious musical numbers by Mel Brooks, a perfect cast, fantastic Kyle Dixon, and recreated choreography by Brad Musgrove, this production is one audiences will want to see again and again.

While the performances by Joel Briel who plays Max Bialystock (the down-on-his-luck producer who just wants to be on top again and will do anything to get there) and Richard Lafleur who plays Leo Bloom (the shy accountant who wants to be a flashy producer like Max) are informed by Mostel's and Wilder's original performances, these actors have clearly made the characters their own.

Joel Briel as Max and Richard Lafleur as Leo

Briel's Max is touchingly hard-up, while Lafleur's Leo is sweetly timid, and both actors are fantastically funny in their roles. Their partnership is at once amusingly unlikely and completely believable thanks to the efforts of these two terrific actors.

A.G. Parks is wonderful as Franz Liebkind, the writer of the musical "Springtime for Hitler" which Max and Leo want to produce in the hopes that it flops. Parks's performance during the numbers "In Old Bavaria," "Der Guten Tag Hop Clop," and "Haben Sie Gehort Das Deutsche Band?" will leave audiences laughing.

Parks as Franz, Briel as Max, and Lafleur as Leo

Sabrina Harper is perfect as Ulla, Max and Leo's "secretary-slash-receptionist." Harper will surely floor audiences with her performance during her number "When You Got It, Flaunt It," which shows her talents as a comedienne, a singer, and a dancer simultaneously.

Sabrina Harper as Ulla

Stuart Marland is Roger De Bris, the director of Max and Leo's show and last-minute replacement for its lead. Marland's natural interactions with the audience during Roger's performance in "Springtime for Hitler" makes the character even more likable and makes the show-within-a-show feel real. Roger's "common-law assistant" Carmen is played by the downright hilarious Liam Johnson, whose portrayal of the quirky Carmen is sure to leave the audience in stitches.

Lafleur as Max, Briel as Leo, Marland as Roger, and Johnson as Carmen

Two members of the ensemble also give stand-out performances -- Ashley Cain (who plays multiple parts including Shirley) and Jeffrey Eugene Johnson (who plays multiple parts including O'Houllihan). Both are gifted performers who show their potential for playing comedic roles, even when they are performing as part of the company.

The company performs during "Along Came Bialy"

In addition to all the great numbers mentioned, audiences are sure to love "I Wanna Be A Producer," "Keep it Gay," and "Where Did We Go Right?"

The cast performing "Keep it Gay"

The Producers will be playing Tuesdays through Sundays through September 10th; show times vary. Tickets are $46 to $72 and can be purchased in person or by phone at the box office (401-782-8587), or by visiting their website.



Photos by Steven Richardson Photography