Casting Call: 'The Producers'

Playhouse 22 will hold open auditions for Mel Brooks' "The Producers" in about a week.

The show starts out with Max Bialystock, a down and out Broadway producer whose latest work flopped on opening night. Max, plagued by his former success and scrabbling to stay afloat, experiences a change in fortune when downtrodden accountant, Leo Bloom, discovers there is money to be made in Max’s theatrical failure. As a result, the two formerly-defeated businessmen form an unlikely union with the goal of creating the world’s worst musical. The plot develops as the duo enlists the help of ridiculous and often farcical characters along the way, such as former Nazi and ongoing Third Reich enthusiast Franz Liebkind; Ulla, the blonde bombshell secretary/receptionist; and the flamboyant homosexual director Roger De Bris. As a result of the characters' combined brainpower and ludicrous behavior, "Spring Time for Hitler" is born on Broadway.

Auditions will occur at 7:30 p.m. June 21 and 22, with callbacks at the same time  June 25. Auditionees should prepare 16 bars of an uptempo song in a similar style to that of the show, with sheet music clearly marked and legible in the proper key. Do not sing a song from the show, and do not sing a capella. An accompanist will be provided. They should also be prepared for a short dance audition andear comfortable clothes and dance shoes, and bring a list of weekday-evening and weekend conflicts for the entire rehearsal period.

Max Bialystock (40-60, A2-F#4)	The consummate con man. Naturally animated and bombastic, he is never at a loss for charm and manners. Typically conspires with Leo. Stocky but amazingly energetic.
Leo Bloom (25-40, A2-F4)	An accountant. Boring and mousy, he is a hesitant optimist who longs for something more. Dragged into a scheme by Max. The actor playing this character must be a dancer and have at least some ability to tap-dance.
Rogers Debris (40-60, G#2 - G4)	New York's most famous and flamboyant stage director. Surrounds himself with deliciously beautiful clothing, people, and possessions. In a crowd, it would be impossible to miss him.
Franz Liebkind (35-60, F2 - G4	German loyalist playwright. From his lederhosen to his pigeon, Adolph, his love for the motherland is unmistakable. He is imposing yet tender.
Carmen Ghia (25-35, C3 - A4)	Roger Debris' faithful assistant. Carmen is severe in looks and passion for Roger. He may appear younger than he actually is thanks to skilled surgeons.
Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Svaden-Svanson (25-35, A3 - G5)	A young and hopeful actress. Though her beauty might eclipse her talent, Ulla is passionate about life and art. Quite a clueless seductress in some ways. The actor playing this character must be a dancer and able to belt. She should also either be tall, or tall with heels and able to move in them.
15-20 ensemble members (all ages)	Onstage in various guises for most of the show playing such varied parts as accountants, Bavarian peasants, convicts, first-nighters, little old ladies, storm troopers, chorus girls, female prisoners, and ushers.

Rehearsals should begin in July and run through the summer. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Sept. 11-27. It will be directed by Tom Frascatore.

For more information, contact producers@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.