'Producers' Far From a Sham

Yes. It's easier to stay home and watch a film version of a play from the countless outlets that offer such material.

And, yes, (unfortunately) you'd be doing yourself a favor by refusing to leave your favorite spot for a locally produced play. After all, the professional productions are not just professional, more often than not they're more entertaining as well.

Such is not the case with Center Stages' latest offering of The Producers, a highly-charged, raving success of a musical production.

The mucho-talented cast sang, danced and acted with all the energy of a well-paid Great White Way ensemble, leaving no number or dialogue exchange to flounder under in the shadow of the well-known source material.

Director Brian Barnhart made good use out of their light wall and house floor, in exchange for a variety of cumbersome sets, the only exception being a few good looking panels that served as the producers' office.

Cast dynamics were impressive. Each actor managed to ham it up while maintaining enough sincerity to remain believable — not an easy feat in musical theater, and just as if not more impressive than nimble feet and a clean singing voice. While Jamie Snyder's Bialystock was an excellent curmudgeon, and Julia Aks's Ulla was well-accented and lusciously erratic, Bobby Collins's Bloom managed to steal the show with his hilarious, manically puerile take on Bloom.

I'm glad I ventured outside for this production. It was truly exhausting — in a great way — as the cast's collective talent shook the house like they were the first to perform Brooks' text.

LA theater reviews by LA Theater Critic.