THE PRODUCERS Begins Performances Tomorrow at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, launches the 2016-2017 season with Mel Brooks' award-winning musical The Producers, directed by Don Stephenson and choreographed by Bill Burns. The Producers features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and the original Broadway direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.

Leading the company are Michael Kostroff as Max Bialystock, David Josefsberg as Leo Bloom, Ashley Spencer as Ulla, Kevin Pariseau as Roger De Bris, Mark Price as Carmen Ghia and John Treacy Egan as Franz Liebkind. The Producers begins performances tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater for a limited engagement through October 23, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, October 2, 2016, at 7:00 pm. Major support for The Producers is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2016-2017 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

The Producers is the hilarious smash hit about two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be successful. The musical took Broadway by storm in 2001, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.

The Producers will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now starting at $32. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

"It's a thrill to revisit this hilarious show as a director, having played the part of Leo on tour and on Broadway," commented director Don Stephenson. "To build The Producers at Paper Mill Playhouse is ideal. The facilities and the support that artists receive make for an enjoyable and seamless creative process."

David Josefsberg (Leo Bloom) returns to Paper Mill Playhouse, where he was seen as Tony Rocky in Honeymoon in Vegas and as Max in Lend Me a Tenor. He reprised his role in Honeymoon in Vegas on Broadway and he is currently appearing in An Act of God. Mr. Josefsberg's other Broadway credits include LES MISERABLES, Motown, The Wedding Singer and Grease.

Michael Kostroff (Max Bialystock) is best known for his roles on HBO's hit television series The Wire and The Disney Channel's Sonny with a Chance. Mr. Kostroff was seen on Broadway in The Nance. At Paper Mill Playhouse Mr. Kostroff appeared in Can-Can, LES MISERABLES and Lend Me a Tenor.

Ashley Spencer (Ulla) appeared on Broadway in Rock of Ages, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grease and Hairspray. Ms. Spencer was a finalist on the NBC television series Grease: You're the One That I Want. Ms. Spencer previously performed the role of Ulla at Pittsburgh CLO.

Kevin Pariseau (Roger De Bris) returns to Paper Mill Playhouse, where he portrayed Charles Thomson in 1776. On Broadway Mr. Pariseau appeared in Legally Blonde and he performed in Show Boat with the New York Philharmonic.

Mark Price (Carmen Ghia) was featured on Broadway in Mary Poppins, All Shook Up, Wonderful Town, Dance of the Vampires and others. Mr. Price was seen at Paper Mill Playhouse in Can-Can and Lend Me a Tenor.

John Treacy Egan (Franz Liebkind) returns to Paper Mill following his performances as Mr. Bumble in Oliver! and Tito in Lend Me a Tenor. Mr. Egan appeared on Broadway in Casa Valentina, Sister Act, Bye Bye Birdie, Disney's The Little Mermaid, The Producers and Jekyll & Hyde. On television Mr. Egan was featured on The Good Wife, Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie, 30 Rock and more.

Rounding out the ensemble are: Jacob ben Widmar, Michael Biren, Courtney Brady, Tim Capodice, Jesse Carrey-Beaver, Scott Cote, Madeleine Doherty, Hannah Flam, Brad Frenette, John Jeffords, Jeffrey Johnson II, Naomi Kakuk, Jenny Laroche, Liz McKendry, Kelly Peterson, Emily JeAnne Phillips, Jessica Sheridan and Kate Wesler.

Don Stephenson (Director) returns to Paper Mill Playhouse, where he directed Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and Lend Me a Tenor. He also played John Adams in 1776. Mr. Stephenson directed Titanic at Lincoln Center, Of Mice and Manhattan at the Kennedy Center, The Other Place at the Alley, Guys and Dolls and The Roar of the Greasepaint... at Goodspeed, Lend Me a Tenor at Bay Street, The Cottage at Theatre Aspen, Noises Off at Pittsburgh Public Theater, Titanic at the Muny, Deathtrap and The 39 Steps at Flat Rock Playhouse, Titanic at the Hangar Theatre, Sister Act at Marriott Theatre and I'll Eat You Last at TheaterWorks (Hartford). Mr. Stephenson directed Oleanna, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Doctors and Diseases at the Barter Theatre. Some of Mr. Stephenson's other directing credits include A Charles Dickens Christmas (Urban Stages), Buck Simple (Garrick Gaieties), When Pigs Fly (Kaufman Theatre), Golden Voices (Symphony Space) and Old Flames (Theatre-Studio Inc.).

Bill Burns (Choreographer) served as the resident director and choreographer on The Producers tour. On Broadway, Mr. Burns performed in Fosse, Victor/Victoria, Beauty and the Beast, Metro, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and La Cage aux Folles. Mr. Burns directed and choreographed productions of The Producers at North Shore Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, the Muny and more.

James Moore (Music Director) worked on the Broadway productions of On the Town, Gigi, Follies, South Pacific, Ragtime, Steel Pier and Company. Mr. Moore worked on tours of The Producers, Kiss Me, Kate, Crazy for You and more. Next spring Mr. Moore will music direct the Broadway revival of Miss Saigon.

The Producers design team includes:
Robin Wagner (Original Scenic Design) is a three-time Tony Award winner for his scenic designs for The Producers, City of Angels and On the Twentieth Century. Some of Mr. Wagner's other Broadway credits include Young Frankenstein, The Boy from Oz, Kiss Me, Kate, Saturday Night Fever, 42nd Street and more.
David Peterson (Scenic Coordination) served as the associate scenic designer for many Broadway shows including Young Frankenstein, A Chorus Line, The Wild Party, Kiss Me, Kate, Victor/Victoria and more.
William Ivey Long (Original Costume Design) won six Tony Awards for best costume design and currently serves as chairman of the American Theatre Wing. Mr. Long designed costumes for many Broadway shows including Chicago, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Cabaret, Grey Gardens, The Boy from Oz, Hairspray and more.
Martha Bromelmeier (Costume Coordination) has designed costumes for hundreds of theatrical productions including The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Ogunquit Playhouse and Cagney off-Broadway. Ms. Bromelmeier has worked at many regional theaters including Barrington Stage, Goodspeed, Bay Street, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and more.
John Lasiter (Lighting Design) served as lighting designer for the Broadway production of High. Mr. Lasiter worked off-Broadway on Make Me a Song, Running Man, Common Vision and more. Mr. Lasiter provided lighting designs for regional Theater Productions at Arena Stage, Goodspeed, Hartford Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theater and more.
Randy Hansen (Sound Design) is Paper Mill Playhouse's resident Sound Designer and has designed sound for more than 130 musicals and 40 plays. Many memorable moments include working with opera star Jessye Norman, the Indianapolis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Mr. Hansen was the president of Audible Difference Inc., a sound design company that over the past 30 years has served the fashion industry in New York and Paris.
Paul Huntley (Hair & Wig Design) won the 2003 Tony Award for excellence in theatre and the 2002 Drama Desk Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Huntley provided hair and wig design for many Broadway shows including Fun Home, The Visit, Big Fish, Gypsy and more.
Angelina Avallone (Makeup Design) provided makeup designs for many Broadway shows including Cabaret, Big Fish, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Chaplin, The Addams Family and more.

Telsey + Company (Casting) is an award-winning organization of casting professionals in New York City with local, regional, national and international clientele including Broadway and touring companies of Hamilton, Kinky Boots, Finding Neverland, The Color Purple and Wicked. The lead casting director on this project is Cesar A. Rocha, CSA. The Production Stage Manager is Gary Mickelson.

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