They chose the wrong play, the wrong director, the wrong cast... Where did they succeed?
Bialystock and Bloom!
These names provoke hysterical laughter from anyone familiar with Mel Brooks' cult film and the subsequent Broadway musical, which won a record 12 Tony Awards!
"Smile at the world, and it will smile back at you!" These are the words of the main character—producer Max Bialystock! Words spoken by the scriptwriter and one of the greatest comedians of our time, Mel Brooks! A well-known but often forgotten truth that we, the “producers” of this stage version, want to gift to you, our dear audience! And if we manage to pass it on, if you feel laughter as the rhythm of life, we too will be smiling—because we, the artists, have always known that laughter heals time! And today, more than ever, we need its majesty—Laughter!
The author of this brilliant comedy, Mel Brooks, jokes about everyone—whites, blacks, browns, yellows, Native Americans, men, women, children, the elderly, the different, the rich and the poor, celebrities, and politicians… He takes serious situations and tragedies, wraps them in humor, and offers them as a cure against the forces of anger and despair that naturally arise from human nature. He mocks everything, especially himself. A virtuoso of self-irony and satire, he masterfully blends seemingly primitive physical humor with sharp irony, intertwining historical eras, personalities, and mythologies. For Mel Brooks, political correctness does not exist—he refuses to conform to dogmas and modern ideologies.
Mel Brooks has always used humor and satire as his favorite weapons against fanaticism. Over the years, he has written, directed, produced, and delivered colossal amounts of high-quality laughter. But is he allowed to drop a bomb on the audience’s sense of social decency? Yes! He is Jewish himself! A Jew who started his career as a comedian on the frontlines of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. Imagine—a career that began with making soldiers smile!
Creating a plot that revolves around producing “the worst musical ever made” is bound to test the limits of good taste and social norms for some. Because this “worst musical” is titled "Springtime for Hitler." Theatrical producer Max Bialystock raises money for his productions by seducing wealthy elderly women to invest in his theater projects. In an attempt to scam them and pocket their money, he decides to produce a high-budget theatrical failure—a musical about Adolf Hitler. To ensure disaster, he finds the worst scriptwriter—an actual Nazi fanatic—the worst director, and the weakest performers. But... the flop becomes a hit!
Back in 1967, this storyline outraged many critics. Yet, from then until now, this “worst musical” has brought Mel Brooks not only immense fame but also countless awards—Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar—and, most importantly, the reward of a smiling audience!
Mel Brooks is one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy directors and producers. On June 28, 2026, he will turn 100 years old. His secret to longevity and success? Laughter!
Dear audience, you have no idea how difficult it was for us to create “the worst musical” just for you! 😊 But having the chance to engage with masterpieces like Mel Brooks' work and tackle today’s most sensitive topics has been one of the most unforgettable creative journeys for us. Through laughter, sweat, and hard work, we searched for our own truth about themes like sweet scams and frauds, the diversity among us in its most colorful expressions, and ultimately, the greatest ambition of fanaticism: Who should rule the world?
Laughter unites! And on this shared evening, we—the artists—and you—our audience—will celebrate laughter!
We part with the words of the final song:
"Thank you for being with us! But now, we must say goodbye! If you’re delighted—praise us! But… if you’re outraged—stay silent till you’re 100! You were wonderful, but we’re closing… Adiós, au revoir, auf Wiedersehen, time to leave! Goodbye! And that’s the end!"
Enjoy the show!
Nina Naydenova, Director
By agreement with Music Theatre Internationаl, mtishows.eu
Boris Hristov - House of Culture in Plovdiv is a cultural venue named after the famous opera singer. It hosts concerts, theatrical performances, and other events, promoting the arts.
