Presented by Repertory Philippines as the final show of its 76th theater season and its 46th year, “The Producers” was written by Hollywood comic veteran Mel Brooks. The show, based on the 1968 cult movie, is also by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman,
“The Producers” has become a Broadway phenomenon, turning the tradition of a Broadway musical on its head more than any other show in the history of the Great White Way. With a run of over 2,500 shows on Broadway, over two years at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane and many hundreds of shows performed on tour and international productions,
The show is one of the most highly awarded musicals in history, having received twelve Tony Awards and ten Drama Desk Awards in 2001 and three Laurence Olivier Awards in 2005. It tells the story of Max Bialystock, a struggling Broadway producer and Leo Bloom, 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 receive a musical script from Franz Liebkind, an ex-Nazi stormtrooper, 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.
The Philippine production of “The Producers” will be directed by Jaime del Mundo, who recently wrapped up his other productions “The Bluebird of Happiness” and “Mind’s Eye.”
At the photo and video shoot of the cast for the show’s promotional materials, Jaime shared his thoughts and feelings about the production.
“”The Producers” has a reputation of being a hugely extravagant, entertaining and hilariously funny show. That can be reassuring for audiences, a boon for producers, but downright terrifying for directors.” After all, Del Mundo explains, it is the director who is expected to prove to all and sundry that the show really is as good as everyone says it is. Because the show is based on a well-known non-musical movie (starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder), and the musical itself was subsequently made into a hit musical movie (starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, reprising their stage roles), expectations are very high indeed.
So how does one come up with a Repertory version of “The Producers”? “It’s a daunting task indeed,” says Del Mundo. “But not insurmountable.”
It starts, he explains, with the cast. “With the wonderful Topper Fabregas in the Wilder/Broderick role,” he enthuses,” and the wacky Carlo Orosa—making his Rep debut— and the ebullient Robie Zialcita sharing the Mostel/Lane role, Repertory Philippines has found a comic trio that can put its own enthusiastic stamp on this duo of roles!” Del Mundo can barely suppress a smile. “All theatre groups should be so lucky,” he beams.
Joining the three leads are the lovely G Toengi as Ulla, along with a host of the best and brightest theater personalities. Del Mundo is eager to rattle off their names: Audie Gemora, Joel Trinidad, Noel Trinidad, Noel Rayos, and Liesl Batucan, all veterans of the highest order.
The director is equally enthusiastic about his creative team: “We’ve got Mio Infante doing the sets, as well as John Batalla lighting up the whole thing. Oh, and there’s Only Torres and his orchestra playing Mel Brooks’ tunes.” Add to that the talented ensemble, composed of Nelsito Gomez, Steven Conde, Tristan Cheng, Jay Pangilinan, Chino Veguillas, Leroy de Guzman, Natalie Everett, Daff Abear, Liesl Batucan, Micaela Pineda, Shalee Vicencio, and Gemini Quintos, and it is clear that Del Mundo is unfazed by all the pressure. “With all that going for me,” he declares, “how can I be worried?”
Co-presented by the City of Makati, “The Producers” is full of irreverent humor and show-stopping musical numbers, and is a must-see for all theater- and comedy-lovers.
The show runs from November 15 to December 15, 2013, with shows on the following dates and times:
- Nov 15, Fri, 8pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 16, Sat, 8pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 17, Sun. 3:30pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 22, Fri, 8pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 23, Sat, 8pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 24, Sun 3:30 pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES -02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Nov 30, Sat, 8pm – Philippine College of Chest Physicians- 02 924 9204 OR 0917 506 4572
- Dec 1, Sun, 3:30pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Dec 7, Sat, 8pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Dec 8, Sun, 3:30 pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Dec 14, Sat, 8pm – REPERTORY PHILIPPINES – 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926
- Dec 15, Sun, 3:30 pm – Ma. Clarissa C. Arguelles & Kathleen Blanca Littua – 0917 812 8325
All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.
The artistic and creative team of “The Producers” is led by Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Jaime del Mundo (Director), Onyl Torres (Musical Director), Mio Infante (Set Designer), Natalie Everett (Choreographer), and John Batalla (Lighting Designer). The production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Goldie T. Soon (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist). The marketing, sales and publicity team is led by David Bianco (Marketing Director), Toots Tolentino (PR Director), Oliver Usison (Marketing Assistant), Marie Talay (Cashier) and Rose Silva (Sales Supervisor), John Alaras (Design Director), Jojo Mamangun (Photographer), and Lightshapers/ Repertory Philippines (Video Production).
To accommodate all inquiries, Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships. For details of the show, you may contact us the following ways:
By phone: 571-6926 and 571-4941
By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com
By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com
Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/ Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks: Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines, Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils, Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils, YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils Repertory Philippines would like to thank its sponsors: The City of Makati, Business World, BusinessWorld High Life, HerWord.com, Ticketworld, BroadwayWorld, Ayala Malls, Bizu and Greenbelt for their continuing support. “The Producers” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684
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