The Diablo Light Opera Company is one of only ten regional theatres in the United States granted the licensing rights for The Producers, and this company does a bang-up production of Mel Brooks' zany musical. This is the most costly show in the company's fifty-year old history—almost a half million dollars, with all of the sets were built from scratch, designed by Andy Scrimger.

Director Ryan Mark Weible has assembled 28 singers and energy-driven dancers and an orchestra of fifteen to present a truly spectacular show. It is equal to any touring show I have seen. The Producers is fresh, inventive, knee-slapping and gut-busting. The "Springtime for Hitler" number is a real showstopper, with some of the most outrageous costumes designed by Melissa Anne Paterson you will ever see. Jacob Brent's choreography is first rate in this wacky put-on number, and his dance sequence for the little old ladies with walkers is uproarious.

The production has been expertly cast with a collection of smartly impressive comic performances. Marcus Klinger is hilarious as Max Bialystock.   He looks and acts like a madcap Zero Mostel. He is a master of the single, double and triple take. Ryan Drummond is excellent as Leo Bloom. He is a perfect comic nerd and has a wonderfully warm singing voice on "I Wanna Be a Producer" and "That Face."

Ginny Wehrmeister is very perky as Ulla with a nice Swedish accent. She possesses exceptional comic instincts, especially when saying "Bialystock and Bloom" and rips up the stage with "When You Got It, Flaunt It." Tim Johnson as the flamboyant "worst director in the world" Roger DeBris is a real hoot and does a wonderful over the top version of the character. He brings a marvelous Milton Berle-like drag to both Roger and Hitler.

Stephen Foreman is side splittingly funny as Carmen Ghia, Roger's assistant. He plays the role as a grandiose, flighty queen and nails lines like "May I take your hats and coats and swastikas?" when Max and Bloom enter Roger's apartment. That scene alone is worth the price of admission. Danny Cozart as the insane Nazi author of the worst play gives a top notch performance. His "Haben Sie Gehoert Das Deutsche Band" is a showstopper. Emily Trumble does a nice turn as the little old lady Hold Me-Touch Me in the first act. The large cast is full of energetic young persons who give the production a freshness that makes for an entertaining evening.

The Producers runs through March 15 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or visit www.dloc.org. Their next production will be Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly! opening on June 5 and running through June 28th.