Mel Brooks developing "The Producers" and "Young Frankenstein" for the musical theater, saying of an early meeting with her: "From that day, until her death…we were glued together." Regarding religion, Brooks stated, "I'm rather secular. I'm basically Jewish. But I think I'm Jewish not because of the Jewish religion at all. I think it's the relationship with the people and the pride I have. The tribe surviving so many misfortunes, and being so brave and contributing so much knowledge to the world and showing courage." Brooks' great-nephew from his brother Lenny, Todd Kaminsky, is a New York state senator for state senate
Brooks Ashmanskas Kennedy Center, appearing in "Girl Crazy" and "Bye Bye Birdie". He performed in "Burn This" as "Larry" at the Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, in 2011. He appeared in the musical "1776" as "John Adams" at the Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C., in 2012. Brooks Ashmanskas Brooks Ashmanskas (born June 14, 1969) is an American stage actor. He has appeared both on Broadway and Off-Broadway as well as in regional theatres. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for playing