The Producers Star Marc Antolin on Satirizing Fascism
The Producers, a musical comedy currently playing on the West End, uses satire to tackle fascism.
Performer Marc Antolin, who plays Leo Bloom, notes that the show features numerous references to Nazi imagery, including swastikas, stormtroopers, and antisemitic pigeons.
It's about laughing at fascism, laughing at these people.
Antolin emphasizes that fascists are the "butt of the joke" and that making fun of them is a way to deal with their ideology, citing Mel Brooks' quote:
Sometimes to make fun of these things is the best way to deal with it.
The show's use of satire as a tonic for the times is a key aspect of its appeal.
Author's summary: The Producers satirizes fascism through musical comedy.