In life as in art, it can be said if you can't avoid offending anyone, offend everyone.
Mel Brooks got that right in his bawdy and outrageously funny Tony-award winning play, The Producers.
Judy Russell and her well-known crew take a stab at this Broadway musical until August 4 at the Prince George Playhouse and it's a blasphemously joyous ride.
Russell, through her extensive theatrical experience, chose the perfect actors for this challenging production.
Gil Botelho, as Max Bialystock, and Owen Selkirk, as Leo Bloom, shine in this musical comedy about a down-and-out producer and an accountant who scheme to bring the biggest flop to Broadway to earn the biggest return.
Botehlo's secret weapon is his face, so expressive and animated that even without the tonal quality of his voice, the message is made loud and clear.
Botelho could carry the show all by himself if he had to, his charismatic stage presence is so engaging. But he didn't have to do it alone.
Owen Selkirk, a professional ballet dancer, who insists he's not a singer or actor, will have plenty of people argue with him over that statement.
Selkirk is a star. A bright, young, talented performer whose movie-star looks and quiet confidence carries him through this show beautifully. Truly a treat to watch.
Amanda Spurlock, who plays Ulla the vamp, lets her incredible singing voice shine through and flaunts her womanly wiles convincingly as the perfect Swedish sexpot.
Bill Russell brilliantly took on the role of Roger DeBris, the director of the play within the play called Springtime for Hitler. Bill portrays the flamboyantly brash character full on, with the flashiness worthy of the diva he portrayed in three inch heels like only a man's man can do.
To complement Bill's character is his partner, Carmen Ghia, played by Nigel McInnis, an actor who has never shied away from a 'fantabulous' characterization. He plays Carmen as very worshipful and slightly hysterical at all times, offering many chuckles.
Andrew Russell, as Franz Liebkind, was hilarious as he played the misguided soul who longed for days gone by when things were simpler -- in the Third Reich. Nutty and sincere, Andrew's interpretation was a balance of outlandishly dramatic to comically reflective.
The chorus, as always in a Judy Russell production, is a spectacle.
Size really does matter when it comes to a vibrant chorus and Judy's is always memorable. The choreography gives the audience something to look at no matter where the eye wanders. There's an old lady with a walker trying to cop a feel here, a black thong riding up his pink leotard there, a gay older gentleman in short shorts slapping his own rump while the high kicking show girls strut their very attractive stuff in peek-a-boo lace.
Tickets are at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Avenue, or by calling 250-563-2880.
