The Producers to bring hillarity to the Amato

Mel Brooks Comedy, The Producers will delight Amato Center audiences
By Janine Leffler


Get ready to laugh out loud as the Riverbend Youth Company performs the Mel Brooks musical comedy The Producers. The show will feature Patrick O’Mara as Max Bialystock, Joey Abis as Leo Bloom, Patrick McKnight as Franz Leibkind and Andi Aiken as Ulla.

Joey Abis, an incoming sophomore at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, has enjoyed the experience of working on a summer show at the Amato Center, “ I haven't done a show with Riverbend in about 4 years, and back then they were just getting started so I guess you could say things are quite different now. Riverbend has developed a name for themselves in the community. This is also the first lead I have had with Riverbend and it has really been a blast! Being able to work with so many talented people on stage has led to a great summer!” To get into character Abis has studied a documentary of the original movie version of The Producers in which Gene Wilder plays Leo. This has helped Abis make observations of his character’s mannerisms.

Andi Aiken, a senior at Souhegan High School, plays Ulla and says the thing that stands out most to her about this show is the constant humor. “Most shows have predictably one or two “funny” characters. Almost every role in The Producers delivers comical or witty lines throughout.” For Aiken the best part of playing Ulla has been the accent. “The role of Ulla required learning a Swedish accent, which was actually very fun and makes the part even more enjoyable.”

Meghan Bedard, a junior at Souhegan High School, is in the ensemble as an old lady/pretzel girl and looks forward to the production. When asked about what she looks forward to about doing summer shows at the Amato Center she said, “I love doing summer shows because you don't have to worry about the pressure of school, you can focus a lot more on the show. These summer productions in particular, are more mature themes, something new to Riverbend. It’s fantastic to be able to try new things and different genres of theater.” She went on to say, “The old ladies are hilarious and very inappropriate. It’s so much fun!”

Get ready for a high-energy show that will have you in hysterics! The Producers will be performed at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts in Milford August 12-14th. Evening performances are at 7:30 pm and matinee performances are at 2:00pm. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for students and seniors.