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“Stop the world…I want to get on!!”
Have you ever wanted to see what goes on “behind the scenes” at a Broadway cast recording? I know I have. And who better to give me a guided tour than the king of comedy—and the brains behind one of my all-time favorite shows—Mel Brooks?
In Recording The Producers, writer and producer Mel Brooks gives us an inside look at the cast recording of one of the most successful Broadway musicals in history. The documentary, originally filmed for PBS, follows the cast of The Producers as they record 14 of the 20 songs on the cast album.
If you’re a fan of Mel Brooks’ work, or if you’ve seen The Producers (either onstage or on DVD), you’ll know why any documentary about this show is inherently entertaining. This show has one of the zaniest casts ever assembled, with comic legends of the stage and screen including Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Gary Beach, and Roger Bart. As you might expect, a backstage peek at these guys is just as funny as the show itself.
For those unfamiliar with the show, Mel Brooks gives a short lead-in to each number before it’s recorded, explaining the context of the song and its place in the show. In between numbers, there’s footage of the cast goofing around. (One of the highlights is Matthew Broderick’s impression of Marlon Brando. It’s better—and funnier—than you’d think.)
I was disappointed that not all of the songs were included (some of my favorites were left out of the documentary), but all of the biggies are there: “King of Broadway,” “Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop,” “Keep It Gay,” and, of course, “Springtime for Hitler.” That one was nearly as much fun to watch being recorded as it was to watch onstage. Gary Beach, who plays director Roger DeBris, puts so much of himself into his singing—even when he’s just in a recording booth.
Recording The Producers is no substitute for seeing the actual show. If you can’t get theatre tickets, the 2005 film is a good substitute. With the exception of a couple of deleted musical numbers, the movie is pretty darn close to the real thing, right down to the staging and choreography. But if, like me, you just can’t get enough of The Producers—or if you’re curious as to what goes on at a cast recording session—this DVD makes a great addition to your collection.
