THE PRODUCERS Plays MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, Opens 11/13

The outrageously funny, highly irreverent Broadway hit, "The Producers - The Mel Brooks Musical," will be presented by Pierrot Productions at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. The curtain rises Fridays, Nov. 13 and 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Nov. 14 and 21 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Nov. 13.

Pierrot Productions will unleash its own brash take on Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan's adaptation of Brooks' 1968 film of the same name. Down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, and his timid accountant, Leo Bloom, hatch a scheme to produce the worst musical in Broadway history and swindle their trusting investors out of millions of dollars. When their offensive musical becomes a surprise comic sensation, they find themselves looking down the path to financial ruin - and prison! At the center of this insane adventure is the emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.

The original production, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, opened on Broadway in 2001, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. Known for its ribald adult content and off-color humor, the show is one of the few musicals to win in every category for which it was nominated.

Pierrot's cast features headliners John Zimmerman of Bensalem as Max Bialystock; Jim Petro of Hamilton as Leo Bloom; Kevin Palardy of Doylestown as Franz Liebkind; Melissa Rittmann of Ewing as Ulla; Mike Schiumo of Clarksburg as Roger DeBris; and Allwyn Baskin of Lambertville as Carmen Ghia.

Ensemble members include Stephen Anzuini of East Windsor, Lee Benson of Hopewell, Judy Berwick of Lawrence, Amy and Tom Bessellieu of Lawrence, Mike Fabian of Hightstown, Susan Fowler of Newtown, Joe Kraher of Bensalem, Pa., David Nixon of Trenton, Jaci D'Ulisse of Hamilton, and Eric Wishnie of Morrisville, Pa. Dancers include Haley Ackermann of Moorestown, Jeffrey Branin of Bordentown, Caroline Fabian of Hightstown, Johnny Ragazzo of East Windsor, Dominick Sanelli of Levittown, Pa., Talia Shumsonk of Levittown, Pa., Kate Skelly of Bordentown, Dani Tucci-Juraga of Morrisville, Pa., and Stephanie Venanzi of Hamilton.

The show is directed by Pete LaBriola of Pennington, with choreography by Kat Ross of Langhorne, Pa., musical direction by Lou Woodruff of Washington Crossing, Pa., and vocal direction by Pam Sharples of East Windsor.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $12 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. For a complete listing of adult and children's events for the season, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

To post a comment, you must register and login.