BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School’s Walking Stick Theatre will have you rolling in your seats when they perform the smash hit musical, “The Producers,” on Nov. 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks’ 1968 film of the same name, “The Producers” concerns a down on his luck theatrical producer and his mousy accountant, who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Things get complicated, however, when their planned flop, the gloriously offensive “Springtime for Hitler,” unexpectedly turns out to be a success.
The show’s humor is over the top with ridiculous accents, caricatures of Nazis, singing pigeons, tap dancing showgirls and many inside show business jokes, not to mention songs like: “Springtime For Hitler,” “I Wanna Be a Producer,” and “When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It.”
The original Broadway production starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and spawned a 2005 film version.
Otter Valley’s Walking Stick Theatre Director Jeffrey Hull says it’s a challenging production for a high school to put on, with 20 set changes, 500 plus costumes, tap dancing and a large score. But he says the 70 students involved in OV’s theatre company are up to the task.
Tickets for “The Producers” are on sale now at Carr’s Florist in Brandon and the Otter Valley Library. Advance tickets are $10. Tickets at the door for adults are $12, but seniors and students are $10. Some performances sell out, so get your tickets in advance. Otter Valley Union High School is located just off Route 7 at 2997 Franklin Street in Brandon. The school’s theater is handicap accessible.