3-D's 2014 Musical Theatre Season Kicks Off with THE PRODUCERS Tonight

"I wanna be a Producer..." That's what everyone will be singing after experiencing 3-D Theatricals' (3DT) production of Mel Brooks' 12-time Tony Award winning hit The Producers. Kicking off 3-D's 2014 musical theatre season, The Producers will be presented tonight, January 31 at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, with the show's official press opening set for Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 8:00 pm. Performances will continue in Fullerton through Sunday, February 16. 3DT will then move the production to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for its first season of "extended" performances February 21 - March 2.

After being honored by the prestigious LA Stage Alliance with 15 Ovation Award nominations and 5 wins (including Best Musical) for their 2013 production of Jason Robert Brown's Parade, 3DT's Executive Producer/Artistic Director T.J. Dawson said "What better way to begin a new year season than with the musical that has won more Tony Awards than any other show in history."

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Based on the hit 1968 film of the same name, this Mel Brooks masterpiece 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 showbiz. What they don't know is that after all their hard work, the musical ends up being a smash hit! It's a comic tour-de-force that spoofs the big, 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." With a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, The Producers will have audiences howling.

"The Producers unites the audience with its jokes, sight gags and over-the-top musical numbers," says 3DT Producer Gretchen Dawson. "Leave it to Mel Brooks to create an outrageous musical comedy featuring tap dancing old ladies," adds Daniel Dawson. "Oh!" chimes Jeanette Dawson, "And we mention a kick line of German soldiers, and leggy show girls... all on one stage?

THE CAST:

This uproarious comedy stars Jay Brian Winnick* as down-and-out producer Max Bialystock; Jeff Skowron* (2013 Ovation Award-winner Best Actor in a Musical/Parade) as Max's timid accountant Leo Bloom; and Hilary Michael Thompson* as Ulla, the Swedish bombshell that Bialystock and Bloom hire as their receptionist. Also featured is David Engel* as Roger DeBris; Norman Large* as Franz Liebkind, and Leigh Wakeford* as Carmen Ghia.

The ensemble includes Kim Arnett*, Danny Blaylock, Katelyn Blockinger, Chris Duir, Jessica Ernest, Casey Garritano, Annie Hinskton, Bonnie Kovar, Tracy Lore*, Adam Mantell, Leslie Miller, Eric Michael Parker, Justin Matthew Segura, Caleb Shaw, Laura Thatcher, and Stephanie Wolfe.

*Denotes Member of Actors Equity Association.

THE CREATIVE and PRODUCTION TEAMS:

David Lamoureux (Director/Musical Director) returns to 3-D Theatricals for The Producers after collaborating on Avenue Q, I Love A Piano, and the company's Ovation award-winning Parade for which he received an Ovation nomination as Best Musical Direction. Direction/Musical Direction credits include Musical Theatre West (The Wedding Singer, A Chorus Line, Sunset Boulevard), Lewis Family Playhouse (Sweeney Todd, Rent, Into The Woods, Evita, 2014's upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar), Musical Theatre Guild (High Fidelity, Chess), Candlelight Pavilion (Godspell, Phantom, Cats, The Will Rogers Follies), and Performance Riverside (Pirates Of Penzance, Joseph..., Annie, Spelling Bee). Additionally, David serves as co-producer, alongside Michael Betts, of Musical Theatre West's Reiner Reading Series, for which he's directed productions of The Most Happy Fella, The Secret Garden, City Of Angels, and Little Me. As a multi-instrumentalist, David has performed and recorded extensively with artists ranging from Augustana and Gwen Stefani to Sandy Duncan and Bob Newhart, and has been seen performing on Saturday Night Live, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Ferguson, Jonathan Ross (BBC), American Music Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and American Idol.

Linda Love-Simmons (Choreographer) is an award winning director and choreographer whose work has been seen on stage and screen from coast to coast. Linda has created special events from Los Angeles to New York City for Disney, Mattel, the 2002 Olympics, Megan Mullaly, Paramount Pictures, the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Holland America cruise lines, Oakley, and Under Armor. Her favorite theatrical credits include A Chorus Line, Swing, 9 to 5, La Cage Aux Folles, and Legally Blonde. More than just creating technical and energetic choreography and thoughtful dramatic pieces, Linda has a personal mantra of creating positive success experiences. By inspiring performers to strive for their very best, and encouraging them to dwell in the realm of possibility, there is passion and excitement in everything she does. Leading by example and having no tolerance for low expectations, she creates a creative environment where everyone she works with can attain the same personal excellence that she strives for in herself. lindalovesimmons.com.

Among those rounding out the creative and production teams are Production Manager: Teresa Hanrahan, Dance Captain: Kim Arnett*, Technical Director: Jene Roach, Production Stage Manager: Nicole Wessel*, Costume Design: William Ivey Long, Costume Coordinator/Wardrobe Supervisor: Yolanda Rowell, Set & Costumes provided by: NetWorks, Wig Design: Kat and Cliff Senior, Lighting Design: Steven Young, Sound Design: Julie Ferrin, Set Design: Robin Wagner, Prop Coordinators: Gretchen Morales, Melanie Cavaness, Make-Up Design: Denice Paxton, 3DT Company Manager & Assistant Stage Manager: David Jordan Nestor*, 3DT Box Office Manager: Hayden Hamilton, and 3DT Artistic Coordinator: Amber Snead.

THEATRE LOCATIONS and TICKET INFORMATION:

PLUMMER AUDITORIUM: 201 E. Chapman Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832.

Remote Box Office: 714 589-2770, Ext. 1. Hours: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday; 12:00 - 6:00 pm Saturday. Theater Box Office Hours: Two hours prior to performances at the theater or by telephone.

Ticket Prices: $28 to $60. Ticket Handling Fee: $3 per ticket. Online Ticketing: www.3dtshows.com. Group and Student discounts are available.

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