THE PRODUCERS to Bring Laughs to Breckenridge Backstage Theatre This Summer

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre is set to present The Producers at The Breckenridge Theater. Featuring music & lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan, music direction by Trent Hines, choreography by Jessica Hindsley and direction by Robert Michael Sanders, the production will run June 9th through August 6th.

The 43rd Season of the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre - a Season of Passion - heats up the summer with Broadway's most celebrated, high energy, laugh-a-minute musical sensation. Winner of a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards (and winning in every category for which it was nominated), The Producers is pure comic gold and a love letter to classic Broadway shows created by the irrepressible comic legend, Mel Brooks (director of Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein).

Based on the original Academy Award-winning film written and directed by Brooks, The Producers is the story of a washed-up Broadway producer (Max Bialystock) and his nebbish accountant (Leo Bloom) who devise the ultimate scam to bilk Broadway investors out of millions of dollars by producing a show so awful and offensive, it can't fail. Problem is, the show becomes a hit, sending Leo and Max scrambling to stay out of jail. The original film featured Broadway giant, Zero Mostel, and made a star out of Gene Wilder in one of his first film roles. When Brooks decided to turn the movie into a Broadway musical, he entrusted the powerhouse duo of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick to deliver the goods. And did they ever! When it opened in New York, The Producers broke the record for the largest single day box office in theatre history, taking in more than $3 million. When Lane and Broderick reprised their roles for a short four-month run, they broke their own record with over $3.5 million in single day ticket sales. This show is a monster hit! Want more evidence of the rave response?:

BBT's production will star Scott Rathbun as Max Bialystock and Tim Howard as Leo Bloom. Rathbun recently appeared as Amos Hart in last summer's sold-out hit, Chicago. Other BBT appearances include Baloo in The Jungle Book and Dave in The Full Monty. Rathbun previously played Bialystock at MidTown Arts Center in Fort Collins. Howard was featured in the Town Hall Arts Center production and is reprising his Henry-nominated role as Leo Bloom. Howard returns this season to BBT after playing the lovable lothario Kodaly in She Loves Me. Howard also played the Prince Herbert track in our huge summer hit from three years ago, Spamalot.

Howard and Rathbun are joined by Colby Dunn, Brian Jackson, Christopher Willard, and Josh Rigo. Dunn recently appeared as blind librarian Sarah in BBT's cult musical hit, The Toxic Avenger, and plays Ula, Max and Leo's curvacious secretary. Jackson makes his BBT premiere, reprising his Boulder's Dinner Theatre role as Franz Liebkind, the daft author of the play Max and Leo produce, the hilariously offensive "Springtime for Hitler." Willard, BBT's Artistic Director, played famed Broadway director Roger DeBris in the Town Hall production and will reprise the role once more. Rigo, last seen in BBT's Hairspray, plays Carmen Ghia, Roger's common-law secretary. An up-and-coming award-winning young actor, Rigo will also play Alex More in the one-man comedy, Buyer and Cellar, opening July 6 at BBT.

The incredibly energetic and versatile ensemble of The Producers features Barret Harper (BBT's Hairspray), Stephanie Hesse (BBT's She Loves Me), and Jessica Hindsley (BBT's Chicago). The remaining ensemble - newcomers to BBT - who play Broadway theatregoers, little old ladies, Roger's production team, and prisoners of love - include Kaitlyn Althoff, Rose Hughes, Mary McGroary, Cole Mitchell, Alissa Robinson, Eli Stewart, and Connor Sullivan.

Robert Michael Sanders, who directed last year's sleeper hit Clarence Darrow, directs. Sanders, an Equity peformer, will be seen as Dad in BBT's Labor Day production of Billy Elliot. Trent Hines (BBT's Love, Perfect, Change) is musical director. Jessica Hindsley is choreographer. Tom Quinn is in charge of sound and projection design. Donna Debreceni is creating musical tracks. Terry Green is handling props. Lexi Hilbert is stage manager. The show is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, Inc., New York, NY.

Watch a promo for the show below!

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The Producers opens June 9th and alternates throughout the summer, closing August 6th. There will be a special Champagne Opening on June 9th, doors open at 6:30 PM, special pricing applies. All shows are at the new Breckenridge Theater, located at 121 S. Ridge Street in Breckenridge. Tiered seating/pricing is available. Please consult our website for a show calendar of performances during our 2017 Summer Rep Season. Take advantage of BBT's Early Bird Special and save $10 off when getting tickets for Opening Weekend (June 9-11). Tickets must be purchased before June 1st. Group Discounts are available.

For tickets, call Breckenridge Creative Arts at 970.547.3100, via website at breckcreate.org, or in person at the Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge Welcome Center, or Breckenridge Theater, one and a half hours before showtime. The Producers is rated PG-13 with some adult language and suggestive situations and humor.

For information and to learn more about Breckenridge Backstage Theatre's Summer Season (including The Witches, Buyer and Cellar, and Billy Elliot), call Kim at 970.485.2164 or visit backstagetheatre.org.

Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, Inc.

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