‘The Producers’ Continues at Barrow-Civic Theatre

| October 4, 2018

FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Performances of “The Producers” will be shown Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

Mel Brooks – at the time, a successful television writer – wrote “The Producers” in hopes for a chance to see it on the big screen. The film was released in 1967, earning him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Thirty-four years later in 2001, the show opened on Broadway, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, running for a total of 2,502 performances. “The Producers” holds the current record for the most Tony Awards won at twelve, leading Hamilton by one.

The story of both film and stage versions is the same. Unscrupulous producer, Max Bialystock, and uptight accountant, Leo Bloom, hatch a scheme to make a million dollars. All they have to do is stage a sure-fire flop and pocket the show’s sponsor money. To ensure the show closes on opening night, they find the most offensive script possible, hire the worst director possible, and fill the stage with horrible actors. Nothing could possibly go right! Along the way, their partnership is tested by a sultry blonde and a series of misadventures. But what will they do when, despite their best efforts, Broadway’s greatest scam turns into Broadway’s greatest hit?

Brooks once stated that one of his lifelong jobs was to make the world laugh at Adolph Hitler, and “The Producers” remains one of his best attempts to do his job.

The non-stop farce is also supported by some tuneful song and dance. Brooks actually wrote the songs himself using the technique he has used throughout his career. Since he does not read music, he sings the songs into a recorder, and a collaborator turns them into notes on the page.

The show is stage directed by Pete Greene with music direction by Jodi Hoover. The choreography is by Casey McVay and Hannah McCarthy. The cast features a combination of FCOA veterans and newcomers; Bret Sloan as Max Bialystock, Ben Bodamer as Leo Bloom, Kolby Martin as Franz Liebkind, Tracy Brown as Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen-Tallen-Hallen Savden-Svanson, Eric Wielock as Roger DeBris, Michael Eichholtz as Carmen Ghia, and ensemble members, Shannon Birsa, Joni Hulse, Raquel Myers, Grace Fish, Lillian Hensley, Brent Hetrick, Ian Best, Stephen Teig, Kevin Fox, Rita Courson, Michelle Schull, Todd Bingman, Roberta (Bert) Mullen, Ben Hoover, and Dennis Brock.

It is rated PG13.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6.

Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for seniors and military members, and $14.00 for students and children. Groups of 10 or more and educators save 15% on every performance. Families of three or more will save 10% on Thursday, October 4.

For tickets, visit the Barrow-Civic Theatre, call 814-437-3440, or visit barrowtheatre.com.

For more information and a complete list of performances, visit Barrow-Civic Theatre..


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