Broadway hit 'The Producers' comes to Beijing

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When it comes to the Broadway musical with the most Tony Awards, the answer is not "Cats," nor "Phantom of the Opera," but "The Producers."

Based on Mel Brooks' much-loved Academy Award-winning movie, "The Producers" is a hilarious musical comedy. It took Broadway and the West End by storm, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.

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The show is now in China for the first time, touring 10 cities. And Beijing is its second stop after Shanghai.

The musical tells of two Broadway producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a flop. They aim to produce the worst show ever and run away with millions. But complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be successful.

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Richard Meek plays one of the two leads: Leo, a timid accountant, recruited by producer Max for the great scam.

Meek graduated from the London School of Musical Theater with distinction. He went on to perform in theatrical shows to rave reviews. In 2005, he got the part of lead vocalist in the UK tour of "Give My Regards to Broadway."

Meek also sang live on BBC Radio West Midlands at the Birmingham Symphony Hall that Christmas.

Meek says the dream-come-true theme is what touches him the most about the play. He believes it will resonate with Chinese audiences.

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Chinese audiences will experience the brilliance of the cast and crew from the West End production.

Moreover, all the audio facilities were brought over from New York, to guarantee an authentic Broadway flavor. Robert Nederlander Jr., CEO of the Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, brought another musical "42nd Street" to China 10 years ago. He says the theatrical market has developed very rapidly. A theater like the newly built Tianqiao Performing Art Center was very rare in China 10 years ago.

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The main attractions of a musical are the singing, the vibrant dancing, an exciting plot and gorgeous sets. The Chinese tour of "The Producers" delivers on all these aspects.

"The Producers" is hailed as one of the new millennium's four Broadway hits. The other three are "Wicked," "The Lion King" and "Hamilton."