Few musicals have enjoyed a journey quite like The Producers. What began as a controversial 1967 comedy film became one of Broadway's biggest success stories, won a record-breaking twelve Tony Awards and continues to delight audiences with its outrageous humour and unforgettable score.
Whether you're discovering it for the first time or revisiting a favourite, here's your complete guide to the wonderfully anarchic world of The Producers.
The Original Film (1967)
Before it became a musical phenomenon, The Producers was Mel Brooks' directorial debut. Released in 1967, the satirical comedy starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder as Broadway producer Max Bialystock and accountant Leo Bloom.
The story follows the pair's outrageous scheme to make money by producing the worst musical ever written. Their chosen production? A gloriously tasteless show called Springtime for Hitler. Unfortunately for them, audiences love it and their carefully planned flop becomes a runaway success.
The film won Mel Brooks an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and established the comic voice that would later produce classics including Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
From Screen to Broadway
More than three decades later, Mel Brooks transformed his cult comedy into a full-scale Broadway musical.
Opening in 2001, The Producers featured music and lyrics by Brooks with a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, the production became an instant sensation. It won a record twelve Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score.
Packed with show-stopping numbers including I Wanna Be a Producer, Keep It Gay and Betrayed, the musical perfectly captured Brooks' unique ability to combine Broadway spectacle with fearless comedy.
The Cast Recording Documentary
For musical theatre fans, one of the great companion pieces is the documentary Recording The Producers: A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks.
The film offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the original Broadway cast recording, featuring interviews with the cast and creative team alongside Brooks himself. It provides a rare glimpse into the energy and excitement surrounding one of Broadway's most successful new musicals.
If you love hearing how a cast album comes together, this is essential viewing.
The Musical Film (2005)
Following the show's success, The Producers returned to cinemas in 2005 in a film adaptation directed by Susan Stroman, who had also directed the Broadway production.
Many of the original Broadway stars reprised their roles, including Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, joined by Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell. While the film never quite captured the magic of seeing the show live, it remains the easiest way to experience much of the original Broadway production.
The Current UK Production
The first major London revival in over twenty years opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2025 before transferring to the West End's Garrick Theatre.
Directed by Patrick Marber, the production stars Andy Nyman as Max Bialystock and Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom. Following rave reviews and sold-out performances, the show has extended its West End run through September 2026. Critics have praised the revival for retaining all the outrageous humour while feeling remarkably fresh for modern audiences.
The New Mel Brooks Documentary
For anyone fascinated by the mind behind The Producers, the recent documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is required viewing.
Released in 2026, the documentary explores Brooks' extraordinary career across film, television and theatre, charting his journey from comedy writer to EGOT-winning entertainment legend. Naturally, The Producers features prominently as one of his greatest achievements.
Books Every Fan Should Read
All About Me!
Mel Brooks' memoir is packed with stories about creating his most famous works, including the origins of The Producers.
Making Broadway Funny
A fascinating look at the history of Broadway comedy and where The Producers fits within that tradition.
The Producers: Vocal Selections
Perfect for musical theatre performers wanting to learn songs from the show, featuring piano-vocal arrangements of many of the musical's biggest numbers.
The Complete Lyrics of Mel Brooks
A celebration of Brooks' songwriting career, including material from The Producers and Young Frankenstein.
Why It Still Matters
More than fifty years after the original film and twenty-five years after its Broadway premiere, The Producers remains one of the boldest and funniest musicals ever written.
Its combination of classic Broadway style, razor-sharp satire and unapologetic silliness continues to attract new audiences, proving that great comedy really can stand the test of time.
As Mel Brooks himself once demonstrated, sometimes the biggest hit comes from trying to create the biggest flop.
