Special to The Star
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — The Meridian Little Theatre announces auditions for its award winning production of “The Producers.” Auditions will be held March 8 - 9, at 7 p.m. at the MLT playhouse on Hwy 39 North.
This smash Mel Brooks Broadway show won 12 Tony Awards (the most of any show in history), as well as the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The musical story follows a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant as they come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. There's only one problem — the show is a huge success! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way recklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime for Hitler”), finding a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.
The main characters include:
Max Bialystock – the portly, middle-aged, down-on-his-luck Broadway producer. He sings “We Can Do It,” and “Along Came Bialy” and “Betrayed.”
Leo Bloom – the mild-mannered young accountant who dreams of being a Broadway producer. He sings “I Wanna Be A Producer,” “That Face” and “We Can Do It.”
Ulla – a gorgeous, young, Swedish blonde who wants to be a Broadway star. She sings “If You've Got It, Flaunt It!” along with other small solos.
Franz Liebkind – a wild-eyed German immigrant who keeps homing pigeons as pets. He sings “Der Guten Tag Hop Clop” and “Have You Ever Heard The German Band?”
Roger De Bris – the flamboyant director hired by Max and Leo, who sings solo parts in “Springtime for Hitler.”
Carmen Ghia – the thin, strange-looking assistant to Mr. De Bris.
The “Hold Me - Touch Me” lady – a lonely, older woman who is one of Max's investors.
Other characters will include a group of showgirls who will double as “little old lady” investors, and a group of men who will double as accountants and part of the show “Springtime for Hitler.” One of these men will have a solo song. All parts require some singing and dancing. This will be a 40 person cast (no one under 16 years of age).
Jimmy Pigford is the director, with Carol Merrill as choreographer and orchestration by Carey Smith. “The Producers” will be staged May 6 – 13. For more information, call the theatre box office at (601) 482-6371.
