Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Shea, who I’ve mostly enjoyed in supporting character turns over the years, gets a chance to shine here as Max, and he doesn’t waste a moment onstage, particularly in the second-act showstopper “Betrayed,” where he does a lightning-fast recap of everything that’s happened up until that point. Geinosky’s singing voice calls to mind Matthew Broderick, who originated the role onstage, but he also brings his own sweet guilelessness and neuroses to the part, and he nails Leo’s touching ode to Max, “Til Him.” The full orchestra under Eugene Dizon’s musical direction and the boffo choreography by Darryl K. Clark add the old-fashioned razzmatazz this slyly self-conscious (and still subversive) throwback to the golden age of Broadway deserves."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...They have put together an amazing cast to make this production sparkle. It is hard to find just the right people to take on the roles as Mostel and Wilder, let alone the Broadway stars, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, but somehow, they managed to put two men on the stage that brought these characters to life with some little changes that each brought to their roles. One doesn't want an imitator. One wants to see an interpretation of the characters as agreed upon by the director and the actor. They got that!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Eugene Dizon's Musical Direction and his Conducting of that glorious orchestra is, without doubt, the best reasons to enjoy this show. They especially excel when playing the jazzy overture and the brassy entr'acte. But then they go to town while accompanying numbers like "We Can Do It," "When You Got It, Flaunt It," "Along Came Bialy," "That Face," "Prisoners of Love," "The King of Broadway" and, of course, "Springtime For Hitler." Mel Brooks' script builds to that big, lavish production number and this production doesn't disappoint. It's the moment we're all waiting for; but then, sadly, the script seems to fizzle as it winds its way to the finale. But it's undeniable proof that "When You Got It, Flaunt It!""
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...Stearns paces this show tight. His scenes transition seamlessly by staging action in front of the curtain as sets and costumes change behind the curtain. The huge and talented ensemble energetically morph into a variety of characters... theatre goers, accountants, little old ladies, pretzels, prisoners and even stormtroopers."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended
"...But whether its your first or fiftieth Producers, it’s still hilariously evergreen. L. Walter Stearns, who directed it years ago at the jewel-box Mercury Theater, telescopes out well in the North Shore Center’s more commodious hall, and he honors its solid old-school musical comedy milieu, drop cloth scenery and all, just as much as he sprinkles in some knowing modern-day zest. (He also brought Eugene Dizon back along to music direct, and his pit’s got pep.)"
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...Mel Brooks is one of the great geniuses of comedy hands down and The Producers is one of his many masterpieces. Music Theater Works celebrates its 150th show under the direction of L. Walter Stearns. A stellar cast gives fine performances showing the underbelly of show business while spoofing the Third Reich and its leader as preening closet cases. The book is by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks. Prepare for laughs in this wonderful satire of show business and the folks who run it."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...With the excellent singer-actor Thomas M. Shea in the lead as Max Bialystock and David Geinosky as the nerdy accountant-turned producer sidekick, the show rollicks from a scheme to make millions with aBroadway flop to their unintentional, probably disastrous, success as a hit. Kelsey MacDonald as their Swedish bomb/secretary/receptionist Ulla, is a bonus."
Life and Times - Recommended
"...Now all that bigger-than-life comedy is on full display in the capable hands of director Stearns, music director Eugene Dizon, and choreographer Darryl K. Clark at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL. And what a grand and thrilling spectacle it is!"
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...This show is perfect for those who enjoy musical comedies full of spectacle."
