Sierra Stages to Present THE PRODUCERS, 7/16-8/8

This summer, Sierra Stages presents the over-the-top Mel Brooks musical comedy "THE PRODUCERS" from July 16 through August 8 at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. Winner of an unprecedented 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "THE PRODUCERS" has music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. The Sierra Stages production is directed by Susan Mason, with dance direction by George Jayne and musical direction by Ken Getz, who conducts the live theatre orchestra.

Based on the hit 1968 film of the same name, "THE PRODUCERS" chronicles the hilarious adventures of washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom, as they scheme to get rich quick by producing the most notorious flop in the history of show business. Unfortunately, after all their hard work, their scheme does not go quite as planned.

This Mel Brooks masterpiece is a comic tour-de-force that spoofs the old-fashioned Broadway musical while paying tribute to it at the same time. The classic score contains such gems as "I Wanna Be A Producer," "When You Got It, Flaunt It," "Springtime for Hitler," and "Prisoners of Love."

The two would-be producers Max Bialystock and Leopold Bloom are played by Nevada County actors Robert Rossman and Danny McCammon, respectively. Both have appeared in numerous Sierra Stages productions, although this is the first time they have appeared together on stage. Rossman played Vanya in Christopher Durang's "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" this past spring, and has played, among other roles, Willie Loman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and Pseudolus in Stephen Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". McCammon has charmed audiences in roles as diverse as Rod (the closeted gay Republican) in "Avenue Q" and John Wilkes Booth in Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins".

Rounding out the all Nevada County cast are Jay Barker (as Franz), Paul Micsan (as Roger DeBris), Conor Nolan (as Carmen Ghia), and Kate Haight (as Ulla). The multi-talented ensemble of first-nighters, accountants, showgirls, little old ladies, Hitler wannabes, storm troopers, and prisoners of love includes Casey Burke, Audrey Delgado, Kenneth Greer, Tinley Ireland, Heather Lucas-Ross, Kevin Lucas-Ross, Kai Lin, Joyce Miller, Sunny Ostrom, Hailey Patrick, Jori Phillips, Kelly Taylor, Krista Thomas, and Jonathan Willis.

Performances of "THE PRODUCERS" are Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays (July 26 and August 8) at 2 PM. General Admission tickets for the preview performances on July 16 & 17 are only $15. General Admission tickets for all other performances are $28. For those audience members who prefer a specific seat location and wish to provide additional financial support for Sierra Stages, Reserved Tickets for all performances are available for $35. Tickets may be purchased online at www.SierraStages.org with no additional charges of any kind or by calling the Sierra Stages ticket line at 530.346.3210.

Sierra Stages is a tax-exempt not-for-profit community theatre with a goal to enrich the culture of western Nevada County by offering a wide range of quality theatrical experiences. Now in its seventh season, Sierra Stages presented Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" this past spring at the Nevada Theatre, and will present William Finn's Tony Award-winning musical "Falsettos" from November 6 -22 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley. In addition, Sierra Stages is collaborating with the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City to present a series of six informal play readings - "Theater by the Book" - throughout the year.

For more information about "THE PRODUCERS" and Sierra Stages, visit www.SierraStages.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Wong