Producers, The (2001), a musical farce by Thomas Meehan (book), Mel Brooks (book, music, lyrics). [ St. James Theatre, still running; Tony, NYDCC Awards.] Down‐and‐out theatrical producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and nebbish accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) contrive a plan to raise more cash than they need to present a flop show on Broadway, then keep the surplus money for themselves. But all their efforts to come up with a turkey (a musical called Springtime for Hitler) go awry, the show is a hit, and their scheme is discovered. Notable songs: Springtime for Hitler; That Face; I Wanna Be a Producer; We Can Do It. A smash‐hit musical comedy in the old‐time tradition, The Producers boasted outstanding performances, a bright book and score, and lively choreography and direction by Susan Stroman. It won a record twelve Tony Awards and was Broadway's hottest ticket for over two years. Mel BROOKS [né Melvin Kaminsky] (b. 1926) was born in Brooklyn and was writing comedy sketches for television when still in his teens. He co‐wrote the librettos for the Broadway musicals Shinebone Alley (1957) and All American (1962) but found more success as a writer‐director‐performer in Hollywood, beginning with his film The Producers in 1968. Although Brooks had written original songs for his movies, this was his first Broadway score.

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Copyright © 2004 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.