'The Producers' to Play at Theatre by the Sea

The Producers will be presented at Theatre by the Sea in Matunuck, RI from August 6 - 31, with preview performances on August 6 and 7 and opening night scheduled for August 8.

Jerome Vivona, who previously directed productions of Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, and Sweet Charity at Theatre by the Sea, returns to direct. He is joined by choreographer Brad Musgrove, who performed in and served as dance captain for the original Broadway production of The Producers, and music director Andrew Smithson, who music directed this season's critically acclaimed production of Ain't Misbehavin'. Bob Arnold returns to the Matunuck stage after 28 years to portray the role of Max Bialystock, with New York performers Doug Trapp and Julia Dennis in the roles of Leo Bloom and Ulla. Local performers include Kimberly Kalunian of Warwick, RI and Kevin Patrick Martin of Cumberland, RI.

Based on Mel Brooks' Academy Award-winning 1968 film, The Producers is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than needed for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their "sure-fire" theatrical fiasco? None other than the musical "Springtime for Hitler." Sweeping the 2001 Tony Awards to become the most awarded show in Broadway history, The Producers is one of the funniest, most irreverent shows ever written, featuring a hit score including "When You Got It, Flaunt It," "We Can Do It," "I Wanna Be a Producer" and "Prisoners of Love." "Definitely for those adults who aren't afraid to laugh out loud," according to a recent press release.

Preview performances of The Producers begin August 6 and are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 & 8:30 pm, and Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm, with special performance times on Sunday, August 10 at 3:00 & 8:00 pm.

Preview tickets are $35.00 each, with regular performance ticket prices ranging from $39.00 - $49.00. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI, Monday - Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).

$15 student rush tickets will be available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance with a valid student ID.