Martin, who is currently playing Golde opposite Harvey Fierstein's Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, told Playbill.com that she and Monk will play two of the Little Old Ladies in the film based on the Tony-winning musical at the St. James Theatre. "Susan Stroman is a good friend, and Deb Monk is my best friend, and we're all good friends," said Martin. "So, Stro said, 'You know what, why don't you two play two old women? We'll feature you, and you'll dance with Nathan [Lane].'" Martin said she will be filming her role in March.
"The Producers" movie will film at the new Steiner Studios, located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The new facility was specially built to accommodate Hollywood-style productions. The upcoming movie musical will co-star Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, re-creating their stage roles for the silver screen. Directed by Stroman, the "Producers" cast will also include Will Ferrell as Franz Liebkind, Roger Bart as Carmen Ghia, Gary Beach as Roger De Bris and Uma Thurman as Ulla.
The original 1968 "The Producers" film about a conniving producer starred Zero Mostel as producer Max Bialystock and Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. Others in the cast included Kenneth Mars as Franz Liebkind, Renée Taylor as Eva Braun, Christopher Hewett as Roger De Bris, Lee Meredith as Ulla and Andréas Voutsinas as Carmen Giya. Mel Brooks won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for "The Producers," and Gene Wilder was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Andrea Martin received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her performance as Aunt Eller in the most recent revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!. Martin nabbed the Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World awards for her work in My Favorite Year and received Tony and Drama Desk noms. for the revival of Candide. An Emmy Award winner for her work on "SCTV," Martin's other screen credits include "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "All Over the Guy," "Wag the Dog," "Stepping Out," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Gypsy," "Ed" and "Crossing Jordan."
Debra Monk received a Tony Award for her work in Redwood Curtain and received Tony nominations for her performances in Picnic and Steel Pier. Her other theatrical credits include roles in Time of the Cuckoo (Obie Award); Ah, Wilderness!; Ancestral Voices; Company; Nick and Nora; Prelude to a Kiss; The Seagull; Death Defying Acts; Three Hotels; Oil Symphony; Assassins; and Pumpboys and Dinettes. Her many screen credits include "Center Stage," "Devil's Advocate," "In & Out," "Substance of Fire," "Extreme Measures," "Law & Order" and "Redwood Curtain." Monk received an Emmy Award for her work in ABC-TV's "NYPD Blue." The Feb. 11 "Diva Talk" on Playbill.com will feature a complete interview with Tony winner Andrea Martin.
