Mel Brooks' 'Producers' tour makes a pit stop in Escondido

By: JOEL D. AMOS - For the North County Times | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 3:27 PM PST ∞

As Mel Brooks' latest film-to-Broadway effort, "Young Frankenstein," makes its debut on Broadway, his last musical triumph arrives Friday at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

The rise of "The Producers" from 1968 cult film to Tony Award-winning musical smash (that itself spawned a 2005 big-screen treatment) is the story of musical theater legend. Brooks had never written for musical theater before he decided to turn the popular Broadway-themed "Producers" film (which famously starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder) into a stage vehicle. Writing the script and all the songs, Brooks took Broadway by storm in 2000. The musical swept the 2001 Tony Awards (picking up a record 12 Tonys) and remains one of Broadway's biggest box-office smashes.

"The Producers" is the story of failed Broadway producer Max Bialystock, who finances his dismal musicals by romancing little old ladies out of their nest eggs. When his nervous-natured accountant Leo Bloom points out that Bialystock could make more money off a bomb than a hit (if he raises more money than he spends for the production, then closes it on opening night at a "loss"), Bialystock and Bloom decide to partner up and produce the worst show in Broadway history. Armed with a script by Nazi sympathizer and the Great White Way's worst (and most flamboyant) director, Bialystock and Bloom premiere "Springtime for Hitler." But the joke's on them when the show is taken for a spoof by audiences and becomes a surprise smash. When the little old ladies come to collect on their investment, the partners end up in jail.

Britt Hancock, who stars in the "Producers" tour as the flamboyant director Roger DeBris, has witnessed firsthand the musical's status as a cultural phenomenon.

The Florida native said he's still experiencing novelty everyplace the curtain rises.

"Right now, I'm in Washington. I've never seen the Pacific Northwest," Hancock said. "It's gorgeous. There is always something new."

Starring in his first-ever tour, particularly of a Tony Award-winning musical, Hancock said he's found the show a delight to be a part of.

"At times we feel like a rock star," Hancock said. "It's great because the show is so popular everywhere we go, it's so well known. The show never gets stale. It keeps it fresh for you."

Having the built-in audience is a blessing and a curse for any actor.

"There are certain expectations from each character on stage," Hancock said. "I would definitely say I was nervous. These are big shoes to fill."

The professional staff charged with executing Brooks' vision as it tours the country has created an environment ripe for artistic expression. "Once we began rehearsal, our director and choreographer made us feel really relaxed and comfortable," Hancock said. "They let us play and make our own choices and decisions. It felt like second nature after a while."

Before joining the "Producers" tour, Hancock's only exposure to Brooks was his classic film "Blazing Saddles."

"I'd not seen the original 'Producers' movie, but I did see the recent movie with Nathan Lane," Hancock said. "I didn't know a whole lot about Mel Brooks. Of course, I had heard how brilliant he was and I am definitely a huge fan now."

Hancock said he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to top this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"This is the most fun I've ever had in a show," he said.

The role of DeBris ---- for which actor Gary Beach won a Tony on Broadway (and he reprised in a 2005 film version) ---- allows an actor the freedom to go over the comedic edge.

"I have so much freedom with Roger. I get to make a fool of myself," Hancock said and laughed. "Roger's both dramatic and flamboyant. One moment he's Judy Garland, the next he's John Wayne. He is quite interesting to play."

For a musical known for its humor, Hancock said that playing the comic foil is a delicate and difficult task for any actor.

"It was a challenge to get Roger into my body," Hancock said.

The actor's resume includes playing lots of leading men, including the Beast in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" and Curly in "Oklahoma." His journey into Brooks' world is a welcomed change.

"It's nice to get back to comedy that I haven't done in a while. Roger's very different than Curly," Hancock said. "And he's very different than the Beast."

Hancock said he often returns from a performance to his hotel room to find the film version, with Beach as DeBris, playing on television.

"It is surreal," he said. "When the movie came out, there's that dream that I would love to do that someday. After that thrill of a performance, unwinding in my room, and on the TV is 'The Producers.' I think, 'Wow, this is what I'm doing every night.' That happens all the time ---- all the time."

"The Producers"

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Tickets: $55-$70, general; $52-$67, seniors

Info: (800) 988-4253

Web: www.artcenter.org