Big laughs in LPP’s latest show, The Producers

Gary Simboli, long-time musical director at Albion, gets the spotlight on the stage as Max Bialystock

Photos by Tom Rivers

MIDDLEPORT – Gary Simboli, left, is Max Bialystock and Michael Flanagan is Leo Bloom who are partners in The Producers, which is being performed by the Lake Plains Players.

There were shows on Friday and Saturday nights and a final performance today at 2 p.m. at the Roy-Hart High School Auditorium.

The two characters set out to produce the worst musical in history, raising $2 million and then leaving with the money when the show flops. However, the musical turns out to be a smashing success.

In order to raise the money, Max (Gary Simboli) needs to befriend many old ladies.

Simboli was the musical director at Albion High School for 35 years, leading 70 different shows. In The Producers, he is the lead performer on stage.

Leo Bloom (Michael Flanagan) transforms from being a shy and mousy accountant into a more confident and charismatic person when he envisions being a Broadway producer.

Lake Plains Players is performing the musical that was a Broadway hit in 2001. The show won 12 Tony Awards.

Geoff Klopas plays the role of Franz Liebkind, who is tending to his pigeons while wearing a German Army helmet. He writes the very offensive “Springtime for Hitler” musical that Max is certain will be disaster financially and with the crowd.

Liebkind sees the musical as a chance to clear the Führer’s name on Broadway by singing the praises of Hitler.

“Springtime for Hitler” becomes a big hit when the audience sees it as brilliant satire, lampooning Hitler.

Max and Leo also seek out the worst director for the musical and settle on Roger DeBris, a flamboyant character played by Brian Wilson.

DeBris initially rejects the chance to direct a depressing musical with war, but when the prospect of winning a Tony is mentioned, DeBris signs on to direct the show.

Leo (Michael Flanagan) and Max (Gary Simboli) fight over the two accounting books, one for the IRS with fudged numbers and the other not to be seen by the IRS with the numbers showing their fraud.

Laura Bennett plays Ulla, a Swedish woman who stars in “Springtime for Hitler.” She also runs away with the $2 million with Leo and the two get married.

During Max’s trial for fraud, the old ladies who he swindled out of their money show up in support of Max, despite his conniving ways.

Gary Simboli performs “Betrayed” when Max learns that Leo has fled the area with the $2 million and Ulla.

Leo later returns to be with his friend and gives back most of the money.