By: Vickie J. Rubinson
A musical in Berlin with swastikas, goose stepping and a catchy tune called "Springtime for Hitler" might be expected to draw outrage from a German public sensitive to playing the Nazi past for comedy.
But, according to the Associated Press, on May 15, the German language version of the Broadway hit "The Producers" is opening at the Admiralspalast theater and so far no one seems to be complaining.
Three years ago, a Hebrew language production plyaed in Tel Aviv to a packed and laughing audiences. Then a German production was staged in Austria, Adolf Hitler's birthplace. Now the same troupe is bringing the show to the German capital.
It all suggests that even in the countries most closely associated with the Holocaust, as perpertrators or as victims, new generations are managing to take their darkest hour in stride and laugh at a tale of two New York Jewish rascals who devise the ultimate in bad taste for big bucks--a musical comedy about Hitler.
"Berliners and Germans in general, have processed and re-processed the Third Reich," said Michaela Ronzoni who translated the show into German. "I think it's possible to make jokes about it."
Older people in the audience may "quarrel with the whole idea of having fun with what they thought was the most serious part of their lives," Mel Brooks, the musical's co-author told the Associated Press.
But for people aged 35 or 40, "I don't think there's any problem at all...They're hip, they're bright and Berlin has always been a great theater town. They've always broken ground."
A musical in Berlin with swastikas, goose stepping and a catchy tune called "Springtime for Hitler" might be expected to draw outrage from a German public sensitive to playing the Nazi past for comedy.
But, according to the Associated Press, on May 15, the German language version of the Broadway hit "The Producers" is opening at the Admiralspalast theater and so far no one seems to be complaining.
Three years ago, a Hebrew language production plyaed in Tel Aviv to a packed and laughing audiences. Then a German production was staged in Austria, Adolf Hitler's birthplace. Now the same troupe is bringing the show to the German capital.
It all suggests that even in the countries most closely associated with the Holocaust, as perpertrators or as victims, new generations are managing to take their darkest hour in stride and laugh at a tale of two New York Jewish rascals who devise the ultimate in bad taste for big bucks--a musical comedy about Hitler.
"Berliners and Germans in general, have processed and re-processed the Third Reich," said Michaela Ronzoni who translated the show into German. "I think it's possible to make jokes about it."
Older people in the audience may "quarrel with the whole idea of having fun with what they thought was the most serious part of their lives," Mel Brooks, the musical's co-author told the Associated Press.
But for people aged 35 or 40, "I don't think there's any problem at all...They're hip, they're bright and Berlin has always been a great theater town. They've always broken ground."
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