Dane Cook will make his stage debut in the Hollywood Bowl’s production of Mel Brooks' "The Producers," playing the role of Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind who, in the play, pens the decidedly un-PC musical "Springtime for Hitler." He will play the character for only three performances, from July 27-29.
Cook will be joined by Richard Kind as Max Bialystock, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Leo Bloom, Roger Bart as Carmen Ghia, Gary Beach as Roger De Bris and Rebecca Romjin as Ulla. Bart and Beach were seen in the original Broadway production of the show, which proved to be one of the biggest smashes in Broadway history.
This won't be the first time a well-known comedian stepped into the role of Liebkind. In the 2005 movie adaptation of the Broadway show (which itself was adapted from a 1968 movie), Will Ferrell took over the role from originator Brad Oscar.
So what will be required of Cook in the role? In addition to speaking in a thick German accent throughout the duration of the play, he'll also have to carry a few tunes.
But although Dane has no theatre experience, he's probably performed to larger crowds than most formally trained actors, playing to sold-out arenas with his stand-up. And perhaps he'll be more suited to this type of acting than in, say, his film career.
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