A new group of theatrical artists have come together
to create the Broadway smash comedy The Producers
#LSN_Arts Max Bialystock played by Robert Perrier and accountant Leo Bloom played by Daniel Hannah
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO February 5, 2018 (LSN) Broadway smash comedy The Producers plays Thunder Bay. A new group of theatrical artists have come together and are mounting a production of the Mel Brooks Broadway musical comedy The Producers that will play this February in Thunder Bay.
A cast of 19 local actors from various backgrounds, who have performed with numerous groups and companies (both professionally and amateur, and a few making their debut) have come together to work on this passion project of a community theatre production.
Lawrence and Candi Badanai, who are the managing producers/directors of The Producers, are steadfastly leading this large cast and crew. When sitting down to speak with them, one can immediately feel the love these directors have for their actors.
Some of the Little Old Ladies played by Kirsi Maki, Danielle Winters, and Courtney Davis
“The Producers is something that a few of our actors friends said they wished they could do (dream roles they wished to be able to play), and we sincerely love that they are not only being able to fulfill their desires, but are having a lot of fun doing it” said co-director Candi Badanai.
The Producers (as based on the original Mel Brooks film) story concerns Max Bialystock (played by Robert Perrier) a struggling Broadway producer and Leo Bloom (Daniel Hannah) a stage-struck accountant. These two men join forces in order to make mega-bucks by producing the worst musical ever seen on Broadway. When they find a musical script from Franz Liebkind (Kirk Maurer), a ex-nazi storm trooper, which tells the story of Hitler’s rise to power in song and dance, they are convinced that they have found a show that is guaranteed to offend just about everybody.
Add in a few other zany characters like the terrible director Roger De Bris (Spencer Hari) and partner Carmen Ghia (Justin O’Brien) to seal the deal of making the worst show possible. For added comedic measures, the con men also get tempted by a lovely Swedish actress/receptionist named Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson (Tara Rowe).
What could go wrong? This musical is sure to offend anyone without a funny bone and bring nothing but pure child-like glee to everyone else looking for a fun night out at the theatre. “The show is humorous and truly a sharp comedy that sends-up many theatre traditions, stereotypes and one world war villain that looks like Charlie Chaplin” said co-director Lawrence Badanai. “The cast has had a ball putting this show together and spent many evenings in the rehearsal hall laughing as we worked on the many hilarious scenes in this show” added Lawrence who couldn’t praise his cast enough for bringing their own funny bones and talent to their characters.
The Producers, a Thunder Bay Community Theatre Production, runs February 7 to 10, and 14 to 17th, 2018 at the Paramount Theatre in Thunder Bay. Show time is 7:30 pm.
The Producers is supported in part by Badanai Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Paramount Live, Magic 99.9 and Country 105. Tickets are $20/adults, $15/students & seniors. Opening night they have a special price of only $10. Tickets are available at the door of the theatre or for sale in advance at Maple Tops. Seating is assigned.
Playwright Franz Liebkind played by Kirk Maurer
