Inside the Actors Studio Season 12 Episode 1 Cast of 'the Producers'

In the first episode of season 12 of Inside the Actors Studio, host James Lipton sits down with the cast of the Broadway musical "The Producers". This iconic show, written by Mel Brooks, follows a struggling Broadway producer and his accountant as they concoct a scheme to create a sure-fire flop in order to steal the investment money. However, their plan backfires when the show becomes a huge success.

Lipton begins his interview with Nathan Lane, who played the lead role of Max Bialystock in the original Broadway production. Lane talks about his experience working with Mel Brooks and describes the pressure he felt to live up to the expectations of the audience. He also talks about the challenges of performing in a musical, including the need to sing, dance, and act all at once.

Next up is Matthew Broderick, who played the role of Leo Bloom in the original production. Broderick describes his initial reluctance to take on the role and how he was eventually persuaded by his wife, Sarah Jessica Parker. He also talks about the chemistry he had with Lane on stage and how it helped to make their performances so successful.

Lipton then turns his attention to the rest of the cast, including Gary Beach (Roger De Bris), Cady Huffman (Ulla), and Brad Oscar (Franz Liebkind). Each actor shares their experiences working on the show and the challenges they faced in bringing their characters to life.

Throughout the episode, Lipton also interviews Mel Brooks himself, who talks about the inspiration behind the show and the process of bringing it to the stage. He shares stories about his own experiences as a struggling producer in the early days of his career and how that informed the character of Max Bialystock.

Overall, the episode offers a fascinating look into the making of one of Broadway's most beloved shows. The cast and crew share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into their process, and viewers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the artistry that goes into creating a successful musical production.