The cast of Musikmakers production of The Producers will celebrate comedic genius Mel Brooks' birthday in Garden Place tomorrow.
Mel Brooks wrote comedy classics Blazing Saddles and Robin Hood: Men in Tights and he conceived and co-wrote the pilot to the 1970s classic TV show Get Smart.
His mostawarded musical comedy is The Producers, which won the dozen Tony Award categories in which it was nominated.
The Producers is being staged in August at Riverlea Theatre and the cast is enjoying rehearsals so much they decided to thank its writer by throwing him an 87th birthday party - even if he couldn't be present.
A dark comedy, The Producers tells the story of a theatrical producer and an accountant who want to produce a sure-fire Broadway flop. They take more money from investors than they need and plan to abscond to Brazil when the play closes, only to see the plan go awry when the show turns out to be a hit.
"It just seemed a fun thing to do - the type of thing Mel Brooks would appreciate," said The Producers' director John Drummond. "Even though he can't be there, we're inviting the public to the party and we'll send him some photos."
The public is invited to share the large birthday cake while watching the cast entertain.
The team at Love to Party will supply balloons, banners and other birthday surprises.
