The challenge for any actor in an iconic role is to make the part his own and not a pale imitation of the one who came before.

That applies to the larger-than-life role of Max Bialystock in the Tony award-winning Broadway musical “The Producers.”

Max is a greedy Broadway producer who convinces Leo Bloom, an unhappy accountant, to raise enough money for a musical that’s guaranteed to flop so they can keep the funds. The 2001 show is based on Mel Brooks’ 1968 film of the same name.

Actors Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane, both big personalities in their own rights, each starred in the role of Max. And now it’s David Johnson’s turn. The New York City actor must carry on the torch in a touring production of “The Producers.”

It stops at the Pikes Peak Center on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“There were maybe three or four iconic roles for men, and Max was in the top two or three, not just for me but for every actor,” Johnson says from a tour stop in San Antonio. “It’s great writing; the character is just fantastic. He’s got lots of songs and dance numbers and tells the story of the show.”

The character, Johnson recently learned, was based on a Brooklyn producer Brooks worked with as a teenager. He was an older, eccentric man who slept with older women to fund his shows, Johnson says.

“Disgusting. Such a character. Mel said if I ever get the chance, I’m going to write a book about this crazy guy.”

Johnson can see a lot of himself in the character who goes for all the brass rings with gusto. He also took some chances early in his life (think age 14) that landed him his first national Broadway tour at 19. He compares himself to Max who tells Leo to ignore the life path society has pushed – the one about getting the right job, the right mate and the right family all at the right age. It doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness.

“He calls on Max, who’s at the other end of the spectrum, who throws caution to the wind and says live your dreams,” Johnson says. “He (Max) takes them on a journey. At the end, they find the truth out. Leo opens Max up to a whole world where it’s not just about money and sparkle and jazz. And Max opens up Leo’s eyes and says hey, it’s okay to dream.”

DETAILS: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $33-$88; 520-7469, ticketswest.com