YORK Stage Musicals are to present the York premiere of Mel Brooks’s outrageous musical comedy The Producers at the Grand Opera House, York, next month.

“This will be the company’s most lavish production yet, following on from Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot and We Will Rock You,” says director John Hall, introducing Brooks’s Jewish send-up of Broadway, in which a producer mounts a scam to make a mint from staging the worst flop in musical history, with Springtime For Hitler as its centrepiece.

“We’re really pushing the boat out, investing heavily in all areas of the production to bring this spectacular show to life. With the West End scenery and costumes, this will be one of the biggest shows the Grand Opera House has staged for many years.”

He describes Brooks’s musical as being packed with gags, visual humour and chorus routines “like you’ve never seen before in York”. “In what other show do you see 30 little old ladies tap dancing with Zimmer frames, dancing storm-troopers and choreographed pigeons?” says John, who is teaming up with musical director Michael Thompson in their first Grand Opera House show together.

The 40-strong chorus will play a host of characters, coming together in full force in the big production numbers brought to life by choreographer Jessica Hardcastle.

“This is one of my favourite musicals ever but immensely challenging,” says. Jessica. “There are so many amazing routines and I’m thoroughly enjoying putting the YSM stamp on the show.”

Hall’s cast will be led by Alex Hogg as theatrical impresario Max Bialystock. Alex joined YSM last Easter to play Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and is no stranger to The Producers, having starred as accountant Leo Bloom in a 2009 production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Playing Leo in 2011 will be YSM newcomer and York student Simon Radford, who made his stage debut aged ten playing Oliver Twist.

Alongside Alex and Simon will be YSM favourite Charlie Young as Ulla; Steve Tearle as the worst director in the world, Roger DeBris; Richard Bayton as his camp side-kick, Carmen Ghia; and Jonny Holbek as Franz Liebkind. Jackie Cox will make her YSM debut as one of Max’s bevy of little old ladies, Touch Me, Feel Me.

The 17-strong orchestra will accompany such burlesque Brooks gems as The King Of Broadway, I Wanna Be A Producer, When You’ve Got It Flaunt It, Prisoners Of Love and, of course, Springtime For Hitler, as Max and Leo sing and dance their way through the greatest showbiz scam there ever was.

The Producers will run from September 12 to 17 at 7.30pm nightly plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £14 to £21 on 0844 8472322 or online at grandoperahouseyork.org.uk