FRIDAY 5 (+1): Center for the Arts' THE PRODUCERS Opens Tonight in Murfreesboro

Mel Brooks' The Producers - the Broadway smash hit musical that cleaned up at the Tony Awards in 2001 - is presented by Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts starting tonight, March 22, and running through April 7. Directed by Chris McLaurin and Natalie Quinn (who last teamed up for the First Night Award-winning Pirates of Penzance at CFTA), the zany comedy features a cast led by John Frost Jr. and Tucker Young and Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom.

Dysfunction is the name of the game as Max Bialystock teams up with mousy, meek and mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom. After an observation from Leo that you can make more money with a flop than with a hit, the pair set out to produce the worst show Broadway's ever seen. With a play written by Franz Liebkind (Jared Taylor), they approach world-renowned theatrical director Roger DeBris (Russell Forbes) and his common-law assistant Carmen Ghia (Ryan Fiero), who are given permission to make the play as "gay as anyone could want."

With the production team set, the wheels begin to turn on the production of Springtime for Hitler, the show-within-a-show destined for Broadway history.

To pique your interest and perhaps to heighten your anticipation, John Frost Jr., Tucker Young and Poem Atkinson (who plays the blonde bombshell Ulla) took on our questions for our latest entry for Friday 5 (+1). Read on...

Poem Atkinson

What was your first "live onstage" Taste if theater? My first show was A Christmas Story when I was six-years-old. I didn't originally audition, but I replaced a girl who had dropped out. After that I was hooked!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I always take a moment and pray blessings over the show and the cast.

What's your most memorable "The show must go on" moment?When I was about 12, I was in a show that consisted of a lot of mini-skits. The night before opening, four members of our cast came down with the flu. Being the oldest in the cast, the directors asked me to learn and perform all of their characters in the skits. That show I performed six different roles, and it was a success!

What's your dream role?I would have to say my ultimate dream role would have to be the Witch from Into The Woods, which is perfect because I have years to learn how to play the perfect version of her.

Who's your theatrical crush? The Phantom, of course, and any actor who plays him with strong vocals is an A+ on my list.

Why should people come see The Producers? Not only does The Producers fulfill any and every kind of comedy bit you could wish for, but I have never been part of a cast that fits so perfectly into each of their characters. This show was perfectly cast and every actor has a connection, passion, and personal love for the role they play.

John Frost Jr.

What was your first "live, onstage" taste of theater? My very first role was Uncle Fester Addams in CFTA's The Addams Family, A New Musical back in 2015. After that experience, I was hooked!

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Drinking a hot tea (specifically a Honey Citrus Mint Tea from Starbucks) and getting the rest of the cast pumped up and excited about the show.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? It wasn't that big of a deal, but while we were running The Addams Family, I was also helping with the special effects for the show. During the dinner scene, when Pugsley is mixing his potion for Wednesday, I was in charge of setting up and discharging the flame that pops out of the chalice. Apparently, I didn't pack it down enough and a small spurt of smoke came out of the chalice instead. Renee Robinson, who directed the musical, said she could see my frown from the sound booth. We all had a good laugh about it after.

What's your dream role? That's a tough one! I have been fortunate enough to play so many of my dream roles already! If I were to include my top remaining dream roles, I would have to say Monsieur Thénardier in Les Misérables, Thomas Nostradamus in Something Rotten! and Nicky/Trekkie in Avenue Q. I really love playing the goofy sidekick characters.

Who's your theatrical crush? I'd have to say Nathan Lane. I have personally now been a part of two shows that he was a part of on Broadway (The Addams Family and The Producers). His comedic timing is superb, and he always makes me laugh no matter the role. I mean, who doesn't love the movie The Birdcage?!?

Why should people come see The Producers? If you love to laugh, love great music, singing and dancing, and love to immerse yourself in a hilarious story, then you need to take the time out of your busy day to watch The Producers! It's a great way to forget about all the problems in the world for a few hours and enjoy yourself!

Tucker Young

What was your first "live, onstage" taste of theater? My first live onstage taste pf theater was when I was middle school and played "Scott" in Dear Edwina Junior.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I like to jump up and down to get my blood pumping.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? When I forgot my crutch as Crutchie in Newsies. I was about to walk on stage for the scene and realized I didn't have it. So, I hopped on one leg for the whole scene and kept going.

What's your dream role? My dream role is Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Who's your theatrical crush? Laura Osnes.

Why should people come see The Producers? Because it's an amazing show with an even more amazing cast and crew.

About The Producers

Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts presents the Tony Award-winning musical theater version of Mel Brooks' classic movie The Producers, co-directed by Chris McLaurin and Natalie Quinn, running March 22 to April 7.

The hit Broadway musical, which originally starred Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, follows two men as they seek to pull off the greatest scheme in Broadway history.

McLaurin and Quinn, who last teamed up for the First Night Award-winning Pirates of Penzance at the Center in 2017, say they are delighted with their current cast and crew's progress on The Producers.

"This cast is one of the most talented, dynamic, and outrageous casts I've ever seen," Quinn says.

Likewise, McLaurin says, "I'm thrilled to have our original 2017 production staff back together. Sure, we have our dysfunctional moments, but this is art - who wants functional art?"

Dysfunction is the name of the game as Max Bialystock (played by John Frost Jr.) teams up with mousy, meek and mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom (Tucker Young). After an observation from Leo that you can make more money with a flop than with a hit, the pair set out to produce the worst show Broadway's ever seen. With a play written by Franz Liebkind (Jared Taylor), they approach world-renowned theatrical director Roger DeBris (Russell Forbes) and his common-law assistant Carmen Ghia (Ryan Fiero), who are given permission to make the play as "gay as anyone could want."

With the production team set, the wheels begin to turn on the production of Springtime for Hitler, the show-within-a-show destined for Broadway history.

Bialystock and Bloom return to Max's office and are met by Ulla (Poem Atkinson), who is ready to audition. She sends the boys stumbling over their words as she flaunts what she's got and is immediately cast as the female lead. But her budding romance with Leo could jeopardize the producer's partnership. Finally, it's opening night, but a wrench is thrown into the works when their new show turns out to be a hit, and Max and Leo are left to deal with the repercussions of success.

Tickets start at $14 for children (adult tickets are $18 and seniors/students and military tickets are $16) and are on sale at www.boroarts.org or by calling (615) 904-2787. Tickets are also available at the CFTA Box Office, 110 West College Street in Murfreesboro. The Producers runs from March 22 through April 7, with curtain at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

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