ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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THEATER BY JIM FARMER
‘Producers’ ‘Keep It Gay’ Acclaimed musical takes stage at Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Although Alan Kilpatrick has played the role of Max Bialystock in “The Producers” before, the gay performer relishes taking on the character in the Atlanta Lyric Theatre production opening Aug. 9. “As I’ve said, I didn’t learn that **** just to do it once,” Kilpatrick says. Winner of more Tony Awards than any other production, including Best Musical, “The Producers” is based on Mel Brooks’ 1968 film with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel. It opened on Broadway in 2001 and became a sensation. (Ironically, it was also made into a 2005 movie with much of the original stage cast but bombed). Kilpatrick’s Max Bialystock is an old-school Broadway producer whose latest show is a critical and commercial dud, closing after one performance. “He is down on his luck,” Kilpatrick says. “He can’t produce a hit.” Max is not deterred, though. When naïve accountant Leo Bloom visits him the next day, he convinces Leo to work together. Their plan is to raise two million dollars to produce a show, hire the worst creative people they can find, make the worst musical ever, have it close and keep the profits. The play they decide to pursue is “Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden.” A very prominent subplot of “The Producers” involves Roger De Bris, the outlandishly gay director — the worst in the city, Max feels — who Max and Leo hire to stage the musical. Roger lives with his male lover Carmen (his “common law assistant”) and they are surrounded by all sorts of flamboyant gay men in their home. When Leo and Max go to visit, it’s a culture shock for Leo. “Max has probably seen this before, but not Leo,” Kilpatrick says. Brooks has deliberately made the scene, and the signature number “Keep it Gay,” over the top. “It’s a juxtaposition between the feel of 1959 and the feel of 2013,” Kilpatrick says. “We tend to be politically correct now but the show is not politically correct and that is one of the things I love about it. That scene is sort of a spoof of how the straight community perceived gay people at that time.” The rest of the cast includes Christopher Kent as Leo, Vatican Lokey as Roger and Meg Gillentine as Inga, the sexy blonde who enters Leo’s life. Gillentine has moved back to the area after a considerable amount of time in New York, including starring in several Broadway productions.
Alan Kilpatrick plays Max Bialystock in ‘The Producers’ at Atlanta Lyric Theatre. (Publicity photo)
DETAILS “The Producers” Aug. 9 – 25 Cobb Civic Center’s Anderson Theatre www.atlantalyrictheatre.com
Kilpatrick first took on Max as few years back when the Gainesville Theatre Alliance staged the musical. “This show is so big,” he says. “The first time was about learning everything. I came in before uptight but now that I’ve done it I’m able to relax and explore the character more. I’ve found that I’m better prepared to offer myself.” It’s a frantic piece but he’s having fun. “This is exhausting, but you leap in with both feet,” he admits. “You don’t worry about the energy level.” The performer took on an administrative role with the Lyric three years ago. He is now the company’ associate artistic director. He has been content for a while to split his time between acting and directing. He still loves both, even when it is time-consuming. “I can go from doing administration to grabbing a bite to eat to doing a show,” Kilpatrick says. “You can get overextended if you’re not careful. But this is the life I chose. I can’t complain.” After several years at the Strand Theatre in downtown Marietta, the Lyric has moved to a new location: the Cobb Civic Center’s Anderson Theatre, a 600 seat venue. This is their 34th season and their 2013-2014 slate includes “Guys and Dolls,” Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies,” “Annie,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” Kilpatrick will star in “Guys and Dolls” and direct “Spamalot.” “The Producers” is directed by Brandt Blocker, the company’s artistic director.
On Stage ONGOING
“Young Frankenstein” Through Aug. 17 Onstage Atlanta www.onstageatlanta.com Out performers Jeffery Brown and Cathe Hall Payne are in the cast of this musical version of the Mel Brooks comedy. “Les Miserables” Through Sept. 8 Aurora Theatre www.auroratheatre.com A number of gay actors appear in the ensemble of this lavish musical, based on the Victor Hugo novel and a Tony and Oscar winner.
UPCOMING
“Harmony” Sept. 6 – Oct. 6 Alliance Theatre www.alliancetheatre.com Barry Manilow writes the songs for this world premiere musical about six young men who join forces in 1920s Germany and take the world by storm. “Trash” Sept. 6 – Sept. 28 The Process Theatre at Onstage Atlanta www.onstageatlanta.com Johnny Drago’s world premiere is described as “The Glass Menagerie” meets “Hoarders” meets Anna Nicole Smith. A former D-movie starlet meets a handsome stranger. DeWayne Morgan stars.
08.02.13
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