About Outskirts Theatre Co.
Outskirts Theatre Co.’s (OTC) mission is to create professional opportunities for emerging artists through entertaining thought-provoking theatrical productions.
Founded in 2014, OTC is proud to be a LGBTQ+ owned and operated non-profit. We produce 3-5 shows per season staged at a variety of venues in the Waukesha and Milwaukee, Wisconsin areas.
A Note from WCT's Executive Director about Parody in Difficult Times
Each season we invite our friends at Outskirts Theatre Co. to put on a musical that our audiences may not typically see on our Mainstage – usually a show that pushes the boundaries a bit, gets the audience to think and feel in a passionate way about big ideas or absurd concepts. This year is no different and we are proud to support Outskirts Theatre Co. as they bring you a spectacular musical that also asks you to get a little uncomfortable, while you laugh your butt off! You may wonder what THE PRODUCERS is about…I’m here to help!
THE PRODUCERS is a musical comedy by Mel Brooks about two sketchy theatre producers trying to get rich by staging a show that they think is guaranteed to flop. In order to ensure it’s failure, they choose the WORST possible musical, “Springtime for Hitler” and hire awful talent on purpose to sabotage the show. What they do not expect is that the audience will think that it is a satirical parody and they will love it, making it a Broadway hit – their plan collapses and the producers are caught and held accountable.
Mel Brooks, the creator of THE PRODUCERS, was Jewish and lost family in the Holocaust. THE PRODUCERS deliberately portrays Nazis, and Hitler himself, not as terrifying or authoritative, but as foolish, theatrical, and ridiculous. Mel Brooks stated intent was to rob Hitler of his power by turning him into a joke, because dictators depend on fear and reverence to survive. By exaggerating their symbols, language, and behavior to the point of farce, the show turns an ideology built on fear and dominance into an object of mockery.
The challenge with this show is it can be perceived as to trivialize real horror and terrible events and we believe that is absolutely worth discussing, but in many cases, provocation is the point of parody, forcing audiences to think about how we relate to evil after the fact. Parody in THE PRODUCERS punches up at evil, dismantles its power, and makes hatred look ridiculous rather than dangerous. It uses laughter not to forget history, but to refuse to be dominated by it. It’s ok to laugh.
TICKETS
Adult: $34
Senior (60+) / Military: $31
Subscriber / Group (10+): $28
Under 18: $25
Educational Group (10+): $19
Flex Pass and Save
Purchase a Flex Pass in RETAIL and save on four tickets you can use on any production.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Margaret Brate Bryant Civic Theatre building is fully accessible, and WCT is proud to offer a number of services to our patrons who have special needs. Please contact our Box Office for more information about listening devices, transfer seats, wheelchair positions, Sensory Friendly performances, and Sensory Kits.
CONCESSIONS AND BAR
You may bring snacks and beverages that you purchase from our bar into the theatre to enjoy during the show. Water, soda, beer, wine, snacks, both sweet and savory are available.
MERCHANDISE
Choose from soft t-shirts and hoodies, to trendy cowl neck, and sport pullovers, string bags, mugs, and more.