'The Producers' Opens At Gateway Playhouse Tonight, 8/27

Gateway Playhouse, Long Island's premiere professional Equity musical theatre, presents the award winning hit musical, "The Producers" at the Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main Street, Patchogue, August 27 – September 13. It is directed by Larry Raben; choreographed by Matthew Vargo; Jeff Buchsbaum is musical director; lighting design by Paul Miller; with original scenic design by Robin Wagner and original costume design by William Ivey Long.  The cast stars Michael Kostroff (Max), Adam Wylie (Leo), Christine Cherry (Ulla), David Edwards (Roger Debris), Stephen Ted Becklar (Franz), Garth Kravits (Carmen Ghia), with Anne Bloemendal, Sarah Burns, Will Cohen, William James Daniels, Erik Floor, Abeku Hayes, Patrick Oliver Jones, Denis Molnar, Kevin Murnane, Linda Neel, John O'Malley, Candice Pennefather, Jessica Sheridan, Elizabeth Sousek, and Lindsay O. Travis.   (subject to change)

"The Producers" is based on the hilarious Mel Brooks film.  This is a Long Island premiere professional presentation.  The musical opened on Broadway on April 19, 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances. After the opening, The Producers broke the record for the largest single day box-office gross in theatre history and then broke its own record in 2003 when the original stars.   It received a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards (the most ever) and also won almost every other award that season. Presented in numerous languages throughout the world, it is one of the most successful musical in theatre history.  This comic whirlwind of a musical gives audiences a rare adventure into the backstage shenanigans of the Broadway theatre world.  The story is a comedy classic: a crooked producer and his accountant creating a scheme to present a massive trainwreck of a theatrical fiasco (the musical "Springtime For Hitler") – and pocket their investors' money before the final curtain. Max Bialystock, Leo Bloom and a cast of crazy theatre-types creates a laugh-a-minute riot filled with all the shtick only Mel Brooks can think up!  With the biggest sets, costumes, clever songs and belly laughs from the mind of Brooks, "The Producers" is a show everyone should see at least once or better yet one-more-time!

2008 marks Gateway Playhouse's (215 South Country Rd, Bellport, NY 11713) 59th year of producing first class entertainment. The state-of-the-art facility surrounded by a beautifully landscaped rustic exterior creates a unique theater going experience; one of the top ten summer theaters in the nation.  The seven acres of wooded, grassy land encompass the Mainstage theatre (seats 500), Barn theatre (for acting school classes and projects), scene shop, two rehearsal studios, three dorm-style housing units, a newly remodeled kitchen, costume shop, design office/studio, paint shop, box office, business office, various storage spaces, a recreation room and a large hedge-lined lawn with outdoor swimming pool.  All of the actors are professionals, most are members of Actors Equity and the musicians are members of A F of M (Local 802). SSDC© directors (Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers) and USA© designers (United Scenic Artists) are employed.  Gateway's Acting School is now in it's 13th year of providing professional training.  Their set rental business has grown to over 40 full sets to lease.

The final show for the summer season is "The Wedding Singer" September 17–October 4.  The children's theatre shows continue on weekends.

Regular performances of "The Producers" are Tuesday - Friday at 8:00 pm; Saturday at 4:00 & 8:30 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm with week day matinees Thursday at 2:00 pm and special performances at 7:00 pm Sunday 8/31, and a 2:00 pm matinee on Wednesday 9/10.

Tickets are$39-$43 for adults, and $25 for children 12 and under and can be purchased by calling 1-888-4-TIX-NOW, on the web at www.gatewayplayhouse.com, or in person at the historic theatre in Bellport.