Foster, recently of the Kennedy Center's Mr. Roberts and Off-Broadway's Modern Orthodox, was Tony-nommed for Best Actor (Musical) for 2004's Little Shop of Horrors and is remembered for creating Bobby Strong in Urinetown, while Oscar earned his Best Featured Actor (Musical) nomination for creating the role of Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind in the original cast of The Producers in 2001.
*
The latter character actor eventually graduated to the role of Max Bialystock, first stepping in as understudy to Nathan Lane, then playing the role after Lane left, and subsequently replacing Lane in the London company.
Foster appeared as Leo in the Broadway company in 2004 (opposite Oscar) and briefly jumped into the first national tour Jan. 14-30, 2005.
The Producers also stars Jonathan Freeman (as Roger DeBris), John Treacy Eagan (Franz Liebkind), Brooks Ashmanskas (Carmen Ghia) and Angie Schworer (Ulla). On June 26, the second national tour of the show shut down in Ft. Worth, TX, making the Broadway company the only Producers troupe in North America; the first company had already folded following a successful two-year run. A fresh tour will be created in 2006-07. The movie version of the musical is still in production and is expected to be released in late 2005.
The Mel Brooks-Thomas Meehan musical comedy is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. Performances continue at the St. James Theatre.
*
Based on Brooks' Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, The Producers is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock, and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their 'sure-fire' theatrical fiasco? . . . None other than the musical Springtime for Hitler."
The show has a Tony Award-winning book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Tony Award-winning music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, and Tony Award winning direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.
The musical also has Tony Award winning set design by Robin Wagner, Tony Award winning costume design by William Ivey Long, Tony Award winning lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, and sound design by Steve Kennedy.
The Producers is produced by Rocco Landesman, Clear Channel Entertainment, The Frankel · Baruch · Viertel · Routh Group, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Rick Steiner, Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks, in association with James D. Stern and Douglas Meyer and by special arrangement with StudioCanal.
