“The Producers”, which is a slapstick in your face 1959 comedy, dazzled theatre-goers with its costume spectacle during a show with in the show. The rich fabrics were also displayed in the main character’s clothing. The exquisite detail in the costumes were replicated when the musical turned film which was released on Christmas day in 2005. The film cast included Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Therman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart, Eileen Essell and many others.
In this bonanza, which opened on Broadway in mid-April of 2001, Broadway producer Max Bialystock and accountant Bloom scheme to profit by creating the worst musical ever which ironically turns into a hit.
Bialystock (Nathan Lane), and Bloom (Matthew Broderick) wear suits daily. Their costumes may be kept simple because their characters and rhetoric provide the audience more than enough information.
Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell), who writes the musical “Springtime for Hitler” which Bialystock and Bloom produce, wears lederhosen and a flannel shirt. He’s a Nazi at heart.
Ulla (Uma Therman), the sexy Swedish woman wears costumes that make it easy for her to dance about. Her costumes are cut short or have slits which gives her great flexibility. She is usually dressed in bright colors such as white and turquoise which draw even more attention to her tall slender physique.
The most spectacular part of this movie musical is the doomed musical, based on Hitler, in which gorgeous women parade around in Las Vegas showgirl costumes and are far below “Zigfeld Follies” girls. A pretzel, a Viking and an Eagle .
“The Producers” will close at the end of April in 2007. In case you can’t make it to Broadway, you can always rent the DVD.
(Photo from Playbill.com)
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