Presented by Joshua Robson Productions in Association with Hayes Theatre Co. Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan, Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Inappropriately Hilarious. Fast paced. Brilliantly Irreverent. Where didn’t they go right?
Reviewed by Bradley Roe
Sold Out Hayes Theatre Season: 29 March – 27 April
Return Season at The Riverside Theatre: 15 – 18 May
Tickets: The Producers – Riverside Theatres
Type: Classic Comedy, Broadway Baby, Crude Brooks Humour
If You Liked: Zombie! The Musical, Hayes’ Young Frankenstein
Joshua Robson Productions, in association with Hayes Theatre Co., has delivered a riotous and expertly crafted production of The Producers, proving once again that big Broadway spectacles can thrive on an intimate stage. This production bursts with energy, wit, and a keen understanding of Mel Brooks’ signature comedic style delivered by an exceptional cast under the guidance of a brilliant production team.
When The Producers was announced for the Hayes 2025 season, there was excitement for the show’s return to the Sydney stage, but also anticipation about how the team would stage a musical this grand in the compact Hayes Theatre. This was no small feat, yet Julia Robertson and her team embraced the challenge with remarkable ingenuity. Scene transitions are seamless, and the use of space is both clever and effective, ensuring that not a moment of the show feels restricted. It created a more intimate setting for Max and Leo’s schemes and allowed for more nuanced comedy in the big show-stopping numbers—every moment was meticulously crafted.
While the entire cast delivers an exceptional show, it’s the production’s comedic powerhouses—Ulla, Roger, Carmen, and Franz—who steal scene after scene with their over-the-top antics and unforgettable performances.
Alexandra Cashmere’s Ulla is an absolute triple-threat delight, oozing charisma and charm from the moment she steps into Bialystock and Bloom’s office, demanding both the boys’ and the audience’s full attention. Cashmere’s interpretation of Ulla is fresh and leans further into the comedic absurdity of this vivacious Swedish bombshell, stealing the spotlight in moments where Ulla could easily fade into the background.
Equally unforgettable is Blake Erikson’s Roger De Bris, the flamboyant and fabulously over-the-top director-turned-unlikely-Führer. As the eccentric and extravagantly theatrical showman, every moment he’s onstage is pure comedic gold, delivering lines and physical comedy with precision. His show-stopping turn in Springtime for Hitler is a performance for the ages, earning some of the biggest laughs.
…one of the funniest, most outrageous, and best-executed musicals to hit Sydney’s stages
Mikey Sakinofsky as Carmen Ghia and Jordan Shea as Franz Liebkind bring even more hilarity to the production with their standout performances. Sakinofsky’s Carmen is deliciously camp, his fierce loyalty to Roger paired with razor-sharp comedic timing and exaggerated physicality. Like the other characters under Robertson direction, Sakinofsky brings a fresh take on the role while staying true to the Carmen Ghia we know and love. Shea’s Franz, the absurdly patriotic, pigeon-loving playwright, is an absolute riot—his bumbling fanaticism balanced by a strangely endearing quality makes him a comedic force. Together, they add to the show’s whirlwind of eccentricity, each delivering performances that are as outlandish as they are unforgettable.
The Producers lives and dies with the ensemble, and this group is small but mighty, breathing life into the show like no other. Each of the eight ensemble members plays around 12 individually costumed characters, each more wacky, energetic, and fun than the last. The infamous Springtime for Hitler sequence is a masterclass in precision and absurdity, bringing the house down with every high kick and heil.
For those lucky enough to have secured tickets, this production has been a masterclass in musical comedy—fast-paced, brilliantly irreverent, and packed with show-stopping moments. But if you missed out, fear not! Due to overwhelming demand, The Producers returns for a strictly limited season at the Riverside Theatre from 15–18 May. This is your second (and possibly last) chance to witness one of the funniest, most outrageous, and best-executed musicals to hit Sydney’s stages. Don’t miss it—book your tickets now before they disappear again!
Theatre Thought: Big broadway classics don’t have to be purely for the capitol theatres – What else could work on an intimate stage?
CAST & CREATIVES
Starring Anton Berezin, Des Flanagan, Alexandra Cashmere, Blake Erickson, Jordan Shea, Mikey Sakinofsky, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Spencer Cliff, Clancy Enchelmaier, Genevieve Goldman, Joshua Gordon, Ashton Lash, Joe Meldrum and Paloma Renouf.
Director Julia Robertson
Choreographer Shannon Burns
Music Director Osibi Akerejola
Set Designer Nick Fry
Lighting Designer Ryan McDonald
Costume Designer Benedict Janeczko-Taylor
Sound Designer Zac Saric
Assistant Director Mym Kwa
Assistant Music Director Mitchell Brown
Assistant Producer Mariah Gonzalez
