'The Producers' Nabs 12 Tonys
June 4 -- Mel Brooks' irreverent sense of humor became decidedly acceptable on Broadway as his first musical, The Producers, won a record 12 Tony Awards, including best musical and best actor for Nathan Lane.
"[It] Feels pretty darn good," Brooks told reporters after his landmark victory.
Earlier, he tried to be a bit less bold.
"I'm going to have to do the hardest thing I've done in my life — act humble," he said while accepting his first award of the night.
Only plays nominated in categories without The Producers had a chance at a multiple win. Proof was a triple winner, including best play, and best actress for Mary-Louise Parker.
But the night clearly belonged to Brooks.
The Producers, in which Lane and Matthew Broderick star as a pair of Broadway producers scheming to bilk investors by creating a flop about Hitler, is now Tony's all-time champ. It picked up all the technical awards for musicals, and also won best director, score and choreography.
Until Sunday night, Hello Dolly's 10 awards in 1964 were tops.
Actor Gary Breach, who plays the singing Hitler in the production, summed up the sentiment of the evening while accepting his nod for featured actor.
"Heil Mel! From whom all blessings flow," he said, raising his arm in a mock-Hitler salute.
Teamwork, Producers Style
There was plenty of competition among Brooks' cast as Lane beat out Broderick for the actor award. In a touching moment, Lane brought his co-star to the stage to share the moment.
"I can only accept this on behalf of the two of us and not because I worship and adore Matthew, but because we are a team," Lane said during the live event at Radio City Music Hall.
The pair offered an extra dose of their winning rapport as hosts of the event. In the opening sequence, Broderick got laughs while demonstrating the type of humor that is making their show a sellout.
"This is a megahit, this is a juggernaut. I will never be more powerful! I'm the king of the world," he joked. "We are The Sopranos of musical comedy!"
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