Photo Flash: First Look at THE PRODUCERS at Manatee Performing Arts Center

Manatee Performing Arts Center opens their 2017 - 2018 Season with The Producers this Thursday, August 10! Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks' classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, The Producers once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast in action below!

A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive "Springtime for Hitler"), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.

With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"

THE CAST:

Max Bialystock: Benjamin Taylor

Leo Bloom: Craig Weiskerger

Ulla: Sarah Cassidy

Roger DeBris: Rodd Dyer

Carmen Ghia: Brian Chunn

Franz Liebkind: Griffyn Holcomb

Set Designer / Judge: Jay Poppe

Mr. Marks: Brian Chunn

Storm Trooper / Costume Designer / Convict: Cory Woomert

Usherettes: Anna Grace Robinette and Audrey Lipton

Ensemble: Ian Cicco, James Sheppard V, Dylan Glover, Josh Roberson, Brian Arellano, Bryan Stark, Zoe Zimmermann, Anna Fleece, Kaleigh Valach, Amanda Lade, Eliza Lipton, Skylar Homan, Linda Roeming, Victoria Gross, and EldrEd Brown

THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Director: Rick Kerby

Music Director: Rick Bogner

Scenic Designer: Michael Newton-Brown

Lighting Designer: Joseph Oshry

Costume Designer: Becky Evans

Stage Manager: Kristin Ribble

Sound Designer: Tom Sell

Tickets for The Producers range from $27 - $37. (Prices are subject to change according to availability.) To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (941) 748-5875, order online at ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com or visit the Manatee Performing Arts Center Box Office at 502 Third Avenue W. The Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday 10AM - 5PM.

Photos by Brian Craft