Producenti

Producenti

About the musical

"The producers picked me up out of my seat. That's the way to do modern theatre in the 21st century!"

In 2002, The Producers won an incredible 12 Tony Awards (out of a possible 14) - the most awards in the history of the most prestigious theatre prize. The "Tonys" were awarded in the following categories: music, libretto, direction, choreography, musical arrangement, set, costumes, lighting, leading male role, leading female role, supporting male role and, of course, best musical. Mel Brooks wrote the music, lyrics and libretto based on his now legendary 1968 film, which won the "Oscar" for Best Original Screenplay. The Producers is therefore a musical with a number of records. But one record is also held by the Karlín Musical Theatre. When the theatre's management acquired the rights to stage the musical in late 2003, it was the first license granted outside of North America (at the time, the musical was only playing on Broadway and in Toronto, Canada).

The Producers is set in 1959 New York City. Max Bialystock, an unsuccessful theatrical producer, and his accountant, Leo Bloom, get the idea that much more money could be made by staging an absolute flop than by producing a successful title. The secret is that they raise many times more money from investors than they need, and when the fuss about the flop dies down, they keep the difference. The financial authorities are not interested in failed projects. "You raise a million dollars from investors, list the flop for a hundred thousand, and keep the rest," suggests Leo Bloom. But you have to find the worst play and the worst director. Both will succeed; after all, a musical about Hitler must be a guaranteed flop! But audiences and critics will give both producers a hot time. Says Mel Brooks: "We raised about $30 million and it cost us ten. If it had been a flop, we would have had $20 million left over and we could have gone to Rio (as the 'heroes' of the musical). We wished it had been a flop." We didn't go to any Rio because the musical was an instant sensation when it opened in the fall of 2001 and sold out for months in advance.

In its world premiere in New York, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick starred. Mel Brooks, writer, director, actor, producer and composer, says, "I grew up on those big shows, and that's what I'm offering you now: good old-fashioned musical comedy." Mel Brooks has called The Producers his "love letter to Broadway."

In addition to New York (sixth year, 8 times a week), The Producers has played in Toronto and London, as well as in Argentina, Israel, Italy (Rome, Naples, Milan), Denmark (revival opening Sept. 2006), Madrid (opening Sept. 14.September 2006), Budapest (opening June 3, 2006), with Mexico City and Stockholm (opening December 2006) and Vienna (opening Fall 2007) in the works.

Reviews

Want to see the most successful American musical of all time? Wondering what has been making audiences around the world laugh since April 2001? Do you want to see 1959's New York?

"If you buy a ticket to see the musical The Producers, it's like getting two for the price of one. Not only will you be treated to a decent show, but also a breathtaking view of the renovated theatre hall."

(Jan Kábrt, MF Dnes)

A rapturous applause after each number, bursts of laughter and a final standing ovation, that's how the opening night audience appreciated the gala premieres on 12 and 13 April.

"Tereza Duchková, the Producers' Dream" wrote Jan Kábrt in his review in MF Dnes and continued. Her Ulla is distinctive and can charm the whole theatre in a second."