The Producers September 11, 2008

Theatre at the Center presents the Tony-award winning musical comedy The Producers, running September 11 through October 19 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Press opening will be Thursday, September 18 at 8 p.m. This outrageously funny musical from the incomparable Mel Brooks won 12 Tony Awards—more than any other show in history - and is based on the 1968 Academy Award-winning cult film classic of the same title. Jeff Award winner William Pullinsi will direct.



The Producers stars Norm Boucher as “Max Bialystock”, and Michael Mahler as “Leo Bloom”.



New York, 1959. Once the king of Broadway, downtrodden Max Bialystock is now the infamous producer of dreadfully unsuccessful shows. Leo Bloom, his neurotic accountant, tells Max he could actually get rich by producing a flop! Together they hatch a get-rich-quick scheme to raise more money than they need for a sure-fire Broadway flop. With plans to pocket the leftover funds when the show bombs, the pair creates the ultimate box office fiasco: a musical called “Springtime for Hitler.” Of course… not everything goes as planned. This uninhibited and irreverent romp features a hit score including, “When You Got It, Flaunt It,” “We Can Do It,” “I Wanna Be a Producer,” and “Prisoners of Love.”



Starring with Boucher and Mahler in The Producers are Sean Fortunato as the Crazed Playwright; Laura Taylor as the Sexy Secretary; Jamie Baron as the Infamous Broadway Director; and Chris Walsh as his Right-Hand Man, so to speak.



Featured in the large ensemble cast are: Lauren Creel, Stephane Duret, Lauren Fijol, Erica Haynes, Phil Higgins, Michelle Lagroue, Nicole Miller, Reid O’Connell, Caryn Ott, Adam Jeffrey Pasen, Frank Paul, Megan Simmons, Scott Stratton and Tom Moore.



The artistic team for The Producers is led by director, William Pullinsi, with musical director Bill Underwood, choreographer Stacey Flaster, scenic designer Nick Mozak, lighting designer Denise Karczewski and costume designer Brenda Winstead. Ann Davis is the technical director. Chuck Gessert serves as production manager, with Rita Vreeland as stage manager.



Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional, equity theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.



The regular schedule is: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ($36.00); Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Sundays at 2:30 p.m. ($40.00) and select Thursdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 pm ($36.00). To purchase tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. Group discounts, available for groups of 20 or more; and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions are also available by calling the Box Office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.org.

Official Website: http://www.TheatreAtTheCenter.org