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Hitler Sells Again in Germany

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2009 7:07 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Broadway hit musical comedy The Producers finally opened in Berlin to boffo box office receipts—but not before in intense sales push to break through German reluctance to see an ersatz Hitler hamming it up on stage, reports the Los Angeles Times. "If you put it on most places, then it's a jolly musical about friendship and trust," said producer Falk Walter. "If you put it on in Berlin, Hitler is the dominant theme."

For years investors refused to back what they considered the most tasteless play imaginable which includes a satirical production called Springtime for Hitler. But for Walter, "everything seemed to work brilliantly, as a way of reducing Hitler to the ridiculous figure he was." Walter pushed the show using hawkers dressed as transvestite Nazis and ads featuring a knock-kneed Hitler. It worked. The play, scheduled for two months in a former Nazi theater, has been extended an extra four weeks.

Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler during a dress rehearsal of the musical The Producers earlier this month in Berlin.
Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler during a dress rehearsal of the musical "The Producers" earlier this month in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Maja Hitij)
Martin Sommerlatte hams it up playing Adolf Hitler in the German-language version of The Producers.
Martin Sommerlatte hams it up playing Adolf Hitler in the German-language version of "The Producers."   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler in The Producers in Berlin.
Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler in "The Producers" in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler in the musical 'The Producers' during a dress rehearsal on Thursday May 14, 2009. On May 17, the German-language version of the Broadway hit The Producers is opening at the Admiralspalast Theater in Berlin.
Actor Martin Sommerlatte plays Adolf Hitler in the musical 'The Producers' during a dress rehearsal on Thursday May 14, 2009. On May 17, the German-language version of the Broadway hit "The Producers"...   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Shannonals
Jun 3, 2009 5:28 AM CDT
Clearsight are you that dense?
NxBigmouthery
May 31, 2009 9:32 AM CDT
Editing is the key to good comedy...well, that and being funny.
Doctor-Zaius
May 31, 2009 4:49 AM CDT
Leave the comedy to people with IQ's above 75 please.

 
Germany • Berlin • Broadway • Adolf Hitler • Mel Brooks • The Producers • musical • Springtime for Hitler

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