Katie Kavett AHS Capstone Fall 2008 Contents

 Introduction  The History of The Producers  The Producers Plot  References in Musicals  References  A Chorus Line  Ethel Merman  Busby Berkeley  Conclusion  Acknowledgements Introduction

 2005: Saw The Producers on Broadway  Read many articles mentioning references  2007: Theater history classes at Brandeis and Wellesley  2008: Worked on The Producers at North Shore Music Theatre Project goal

 Identify and analyze some of the references made in The Producers  Examine how the references contribute to The Producers as a whole  Create a website incorporating pictures, sound, and video as support for text The History of The Producers

1968 movie 2001 musical 2006 movie musical

 Mel Brooks’ first  12 Tony Awards  Movie version of the

movie  2500 performances Broadway musical The Producers Plot

 Raise much more money than needed to produce a Broadway show  Put on a flop  Don’t pay investors back because there are no profits  Keep the money

 What happens when a show called Springtime for Hitler is a success? References in Musicals

 Quotation  Direct quote of lines, lyrics, or music  Staging  Mimic well-known staging or choreography  Performer homage  Mimic a famous performer

 Range from subtle to obvious  Serve as inside joke for avid theater fans A Chorus Line

“I Hope I Get It” Audition scene A Chorus Line The Producers 1976 Tony Awards 2006 film A Chorus Line

 Quotation  Pays homage to A Chorus Line  Sets the scene as an audition  Puts The Producers’ twist on a classic scene  The Producers audition includes goosesteps and clogs Ethel Merman

“Overture” and “Everything’s Coming Up “Springtime for Hitler” Roses” The Producers Gypsy 2006 film 1959 Broadway production Ethel Merman

 Quotation, performer homage  Pays homage to Merman  Loud and powerful  Makes fun of Merman’s singing style  Original lead in Gypsy  Orchestra responds with opening of Gypsy Busby Berkeley

“Springtime for Hitler” 42nd Street The Producers 1933 film 2006 film Busby Berkeley

 Staging  Parody of Busby Berkeley staging  Chorus girls in intricate kaleidoscoping patterns  Swastika instead of Berkeley’s usual circles and stars Conclusion

 The Producers’ twist on classic scenes  Audience recognizes method, but execution is unique  Mix of obvious and subtle references  Inside joke for audience  Musical about putting on a musical  Pay homage to shows and stars that came before it http://students.olin.edu/2009/kkavett/ Website Kavett_Capstone08/home.htm Acknowledgements

 Professor Lawrence Rosenwald, project mentor  Professor Lynn Stein, AHS Capstone professor Questions?