Oct. 19-21—BARNARD—BarnArts brings all-local talent to the stage of Woodstock’s Town Hall Theatre for a weekend of performing Mel Brook’s musical “The Producers,” Friday and Saturday, Oct 19-20 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. “The Producers” won 12 Tony awards, the most in musical theater history, including Best Original Score and Best Musical.
Starring in “The Producers” is Woodstock resident Max Comins playing Max Bialystock, the former king of Broadway producers who is hungry to strike it rich one last time. His meek but Broadway-ambitious accountant, Leo Bloom, is played by Christian Coffman of West Lebanon. Together Bailystock and Bloom come up with a get-rich-quick scheme of overselling to investors while producing a sure flop.
Their plan unravels as the scheduled flop, “Springtime for Hitler,” becomes a smashing success as an hilarious over-the-top gay romp, directed by Roger de Bris, played by Thaddeus Buttrey of Thetford. De Bris takes over the role of Hitler after “Break a leg” becomes true on opening night. Peter Mendes of Hartland plays Carmen Ghia, De Bris’s “common law assistant.” Gabrielle Confer of Hanover plays Ulla, the Swedish bombshell who joins Bialystock and Bloom as a secretary and also as the female lead in “Springtime for Hitler.” Claes Mattsson of Bridgewater plays Franz Liebkind, the German playwright who is attempting to “clear the Fuhrer’s name” through his seriously-intended play.
Bridgewater resident Claes Mattsson welcomes his role as the bigger-than-life German playwright Franz. Mattsson entered the community acting scene in “Wizard of Oz” in 2013 with Pentangle. “It was amazing – a brand new experience … it’s been five years of acting, singing, dancing and acting like a fool, which is not much of a stretch for me, but I really enjoy doing it and am going to keep doing it.”
Tickets are $26 for adults and $18 for students, available online at barnarts.org. The Town Hall Theater is located at 31 the Green, Woodstock.
Photo courtesy of BarnArts
Franz Liebkind (right) asking for an “oath to the Fuhrer” from potential producers Leo Bloom (Christian Coffman) and Max Bialystock (Max Comins) who are looking for a sure flop.
