Max Bialystock, a Broadway producer in “The Producers,” suffered a Broadway heartache. A successful producer for many years, Bialystock began to experience a series of flops and was forced to romance elderly women in order to pay for his newest productions. Enter Leo Bloom.

Bloom, an accountant assigned to look over Bialystock’s books, offers his skills to help Bialystock raise more money than they need in order to produce a surefire success; the duo then gets to keep the difference.

The play Bialystock and Bloom decide to produce is titled “Springtime for Hitler,” which is written by an escaped Nazi soldier. Only one final piece is missing: a striking lead. For this role the pair discovers Ula, a Swedish bombshell who acts as the team’s secretary while they develop their scheme.

The question remains: Will Bialystock and Bloom be able to pull off their grand scheme?

Or will they be found out and see their lives forever ruined?

“The Producers” was written by Mel Brooks. Originally a movie released in 1968, Brooks also directed the feature. The movie featured actors Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, who was nominated for best supporting actor at the 1969 Oscars. “The Producers” won an Oscar for best writing, story and screenplay-written directly for the screen, according to the Internet Movie Database.

“The Producers” was introduced to Broadway in 2001. During its opening year, the show won 12 Tony awards, including best musical, best original score, best actor in a musical, and best featured actress in a musical; “The Producers” has won the most Tony Awards in the history of Broadway.

The success of “The Producers” carried the show onto the big screen again in 2005 in a revival of the musical. Starring Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock, Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom, and Uma Thurman as Ula, this version of “The Producers” was nominated for four Golden Globes, including best motion picture-musical or comedy and best original song-motion picture; “The Producers” was also nominated for a Grammy.

With the wild success of the movies and the Broadway show, “The Producers” has embarked on a national tour. The tour showcases 27 cast members and still has over 35 shows left to perform this year.

AMUSE interviewed Jason Simon, who plays Max Bialystock and has been acting for fifteen years, to get an insight about one of the most popular musicals in American history.

AMUSE: What do you do to prepare yourself for your character, Max?

Jason Simon: I saw the Broadway show three times before I got the role, and I watched the original movie. For me, it was about sitting down with the script and figuring out what worked for the character and me physically. I was able to take a little from Nathan Lane, but what worked for him doesn’t necessarily work for me.

A: Do you see any similarities between yourself and Max?

JS: I think there is a big similarity between us; we both share a love of theater. No matter how shady he acts, or what method he uses, Max still acts with passion and a drive for theatre.

A: How well does the cast get along?

JS: We get along very well. It’s much easier being on a comedy because there is less tension to build onstage and, therefore, less tension offstage. This cast is as just as good as Broadway, if not better.

A: Since “The Producers” has won 12 Tony Awards, do you feel pressure to keep the show entertaining?

JS: Yes and no. A lot of pressure was alleviated by my director in rehearsal. He told us to ‘trust the material’ and ‘trust that what Mel Brooks puts out there is going to be funny.’ I think it is also important to be true to the character and material. If you can have fun doing that, then the audience will have fun as well.

A: The new movie was released in 2005; what do you think keeps audiences going to the live show?

JS: I think because it’s live theater. The audience has a chance to contribute to the show; what they choose to react to is different every night. An actor has to be able to pick up on what the audience reacts to, and play into it to give them what they want.

A: What elements of theater are different than the movie?

JS: It’s the live aspect of the theater and an energy that can’t be duplicated. [For example], you like to listen to your favorite recording artist, but if you had the chance, wouldn’t you much rather go see them live, in concert?

A: What is your favorite part of being in “The Producers?”

JS: There are few parts that are as monumental or challenging as playing Max. The moment I have to stand alone onstage during “Betrayed” [a solo song] is my moment to hold the audience and make it work. I also have a great relationship with Austin Owen [the actor who plays Leo Bloom], and we have great communication.

A: What is your favorite song in the show?

JS: My favorite song that I sing is “Betrayed,” but “Springtime for Hitler” is wonderful.

Simon also warned the audience to bring a tissue because he hopes to “make them laugh so hard they cry.”

“The Producers” will perform Thursday night at Stephens Auditorium. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $46.50 and $42.50 for the public and $20 for students.