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THE PRODUCERS Is Presented by Special Arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI, NY) Mermod © Yvan OD E PR UCER TH S

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THE PRODUCERS Is Presented by Special Arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI, NY) Mermod © Yvan OD E PR UCER TH S The Geneva Amateur Operatic Society presents 40 ODUC YEARS PR ER HE A NEW MEL BROOKS MUSICAL ! S Hilarious Smash Hit T Musical Comedy from London and Broadway Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan Music & lyrics by Mel Brooks Nyon Marens Theatre 7 rue du Stand, Nyon From 13 to 21 May 2011 Friday 13 & Saturday 14 May at 8 pm Sunday 15 May at 7 pm Thursday 19, Friday 20 & Saturday 21 at 8 pm Online bookings from Tuesday 26 April on www.theatreinenglish.ch ; telephone bookings from Tuesday 3 May on +41 22 341 51 90, 10h30 - 12h30 Monday to Friday. www.gaos.chTHE PRODUCERS is presented by special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI, NY) Mermod © Yvan T HE P RO D U C E R S GENEVA AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS OD E PR UCER TH S A NEW MEL BROOKS MUSICAL! BOOK BY MEL BROOKS & THOMAS MEEHAN MUSIC & LYRICS BY MEL BROOKS DIRECTED BY DI BROWN, CAROLYN HORNFELD & LIZ WILLIAMS MUSICAL DIRECTOR: ALLARDYCE MALLON NYON MARENS THEATRE 13 TO 21 MAY 2011 The Producers is presented by special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI, NY) www.gaos.ch GAOS AT 40 In 1971, some like-minded people from the Geneva area got together and decided it would be a great idea to produce some English-language musical theatre together. This year, the Geneva Amateur Operatic Society (GAOS) is still going strong as we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this endeavour. I wasn’t there to witness the founding of GAOS. On the other hand, I am here today to witness what this society has become. To me, it is a tribute to what can be achieved with passion and will-power, and it seems fitting to celebrate it with the various activities and events that have been (and will be) organized throughout the year 2011. These include the fabulous sell-out Gala Evening that took place in February, the Murder Mystery that was played out in April and, still to come, the Dragon-Boat Race for charity in which GAOS will enter a craft (with willing members to row of course!). Also, GAOS is putting on a repeat of its first ever production, Trial by Jury, as part of the FEATS Fringe at Meyrin in June (see page 31). Alongside all these activities, we have had the pleasure to read, every month in our newsletter Curtain Up, an interview with a long-standing member, telling part of the story of what the Society was like in its early days, and how they’ve found it’s changed, for better or for worse, over the years. Finally, we have produced special anniversary T-shirts and glasses to commemorate this momentous occasion in the society’s history. Although these activities are often for the benefit of our members, we hope these celebrations will convey the spirit of GAOS. For now, it’s time to enjoy what GAOS does best. Because musical shows are, in the end, what it’s all about. MATTI LINDUP Fortieth Anniversary Co-ordinator Score of Trial by Jury, the first show ever put on by GAOS. This year, it will be presented as part of the FEATS Fringe in June, as well as in September. 2 A WELCOME FROM THE GAOS CHAIRMAN During 2011 the Geneva Amateur Operatic Society (GAOS) is proudly celebrating forty years of successful musical entertainment to the English-speaking community of the Geneva region. I, on behalf of GAOS members and our directors, welcome you to this performance of our 2011 Spring offering — The Producers. The Producers musical has been adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks’ 1968 movie with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks, Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. Two New York theatrical producers scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. The hilarity of the script draws on ridiculous accents, caricatures of actors, directors and authors, and contains many show-biz in-jokes, all delivered with “tongue in cheek”. This year’s GAOS Spring Show follows hard on the heels of our 2010 stunning success with The Sound of Music. The Producers provides yet another dimension of musical theatre with a superb script, and a highly competent cast, combined with an exhilarating orchestration and some very memorable tunes, “Springtime for Hitler” being the most well- known. The Producers presents the theatre-goer with a never-ending stream of gags and, above all, some magnificent dance routines. Not surprisingly, all three of our directors are themselves dance experts. The Producers is proudly brought to the Théâtre Marens Nyon by our Directors, Carolyn Hornfeld, Di Brown, Liz Williams, and Musical Director Allardyce Mallon. We are again pleased to be producing a GAOS show at the Théâtre Marens Nyon. This traditional GAOS venue has had a facelift in recent years and now provides more comfortable seating and many technical improvements. Once again, we enjoy the support of the theatre management and particularly wish to thank Cédric Jaccard for all his help. Our warmest thanks to all our advertisers for their generous support. GAOS is fortunate to have important sponsors for this year’s productions to whom we are deeply grateful: the British Secondary School, Off-the-Shelf, The Summer Music Programme, Hyundai and Guardian Wealth Management. We would also like to thank the following for the use of their premises for rehearsals: the municipal authorities of the commune of Chavannes de Bogis, the Collège du Léman and the Institut International de Lancy. Last, but not least, we express our gratitude to Graham Butcher of RMS for the loan of Zimmer frames. If you would like to know more about our forthcoming productions, please contact me personally or at: [email protected]. So now, please sit back, relax and allow us to transport you to New York and the thrills and spills of a Broadway Flop ... Mike Sell Chairman 3 summer music program Two weeks of Music, Art, Dance, Drama, and Fun! 4 -15 July • Monday to Friday • 9:00 to 15:00 Since 1995 For students 4–16 years of age Campus des Nations The International School of Geneva www.julie-music.com Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland A NOTE ABOUT THE PRODUCERS FROM THE PRODUCERS What a show! We saw it (individually) on the West End stage, where it played from 2004 to 2007, and it immediately stood out as one of the funniest musicals we’d seen (and we’ve seen a few!). So when casting about last autumn for a Spring Show for the Fortieth Anniversary Year of GAOS, The Producers leaped to mind for all three of us and, as they say, the rest is history ... In fact, the history of the show is worth looking at—this “new” musical is based on the 1968 film, and opened on Broadway in 2001 ; the 2005 film is based on the Broadway show. It won a record-breaking twelve Tony Awards, and confirmed Mel Brooks’ talent as an author of musical comedy. And it’s an old-fashioned traditional musical comedy, which is nowadays a rare find indeed, including a sympathetic “hero”, romance, glamorous chorus girls, upbeat witty songs, and a story line with modern irreverent twists which will have you belly-laughing all evening. However, trying to adapt this fantastic piece to the needs of GAOS—its members, our capabilities and our resources—and also to you our audience, has proved a gargantuan task! We are extremely blessed with a talented, devoted cast and backstage team leaders, all of whom have taken large chunks of time from their busy lives to work together to present this evening’s entertainment for you. Have a look at the set and as the show progresses you will note that there are no less than seventeen scene changes! This must be a GAOS first! And the music, which seems so straight-forward, catchy and upbeat, has been a diabolical challenge for our skilled rehearsal pianists. That GAOS has managed to stage this show is a feat in itself! But the rewards are great—working as a team, making new friends and renewing old ties, stretching the imagination and meeting challenges to upgrade skills or solve problems. And yes, we are THREE producers, and yes, we are still great friends! We’ve enjoyed working together before (Guys and Dolls and Hello Dolly), and have so again despite resorting to our blue blankets (you’ll meet Leo’s in Scene 2) from time to time! What’s kept us going on this show? The delight of the show itself and our dedication to GAOS and its ideals. To quote from a show programme, this musical comedy “does not simply invite the audience to have a good time, it endorses the idea of having a good time; it embraces it, and celebrates it, so that the idea of letting yourself go in laughter, without restraint, with no holds barred, with no limits and no rules, without a net, becomes more than just a way to have fun, it becomes wise information about how to live your life.” The Producers Di, Liz and Carolyn 5 English books for adults and children Children's Morning last Saturday of the month The best selection in Geneva! Order online too 15 bvd Georges Favon 1204 Geneva OffTheShelf tel. 022 311 1090 [email protected] The English Bookshop www.offtheshelf.ch JUDI HALL VOCAL DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATION Speak effectively when your future depends on it! Professional, personal coaching tailored to meet individual needs for: Business executives at all levels - preparation for presentations & job interviews Anyone wanting to speak confidently & effectively in work and social situations Students - teenagers & children - university/college interview preparation - speech & drama exams, including LAMBDA Coaching focuses on voice production, articulation, vocal expression, nerves and tension.
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