Mel Brooks—Behind the Scenes
Written by Shanie Levin
On January 27th and 28th a seminar was held at the Jewish Community Centre, sponsored by JCC Adults 55+, and by the JSA – Phyliss and Irving Snider Foundation Empowerment Series.
The two day seminar was called “Mel Brooks—Behind the Scenes: The Producers Problem: Propaganda, Provocation, Promotion?” This event was led by Adam Roberts, who is a musical director and teacher. Roberts was a founding artistic director of the Austin (TX) Jewish repertory theatre. He was director of musical theatre at the New York Public Library and a contributor to Backstage magazine.
Roberts explained that Mel Brooks films walk the tightrope between comedy and commentary. He explored how Brooks achieved this balance in the hit “The Producers”. Roberts analyzed the 1967 film and the 2001 Broadway production through showing excepts from both to discuss Brooks sometimes unusual and successful oeuvre.
For more information on Mel Brooks and German satire, visit the links below:
Mel Brooks, The Producers and the Ethics of Satire about N@zis
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=62cPPSyoQkE
Laughing With Hitler
Producers Controversy Part II (2015):
