Bryan Banville and John Massey to Star in San Diego Musical Theatre's THE PRODUCERS; Cast, Creatives Set!

San Diego Musical Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for the San Diego Regional Premiere of The Producers. This comic masterpiece includes Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks, Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with direction by San Diego native Jamie Torcellini.

Performances run September 23 - October 9, 2016 at the historic Spreckels Theatre. Press opening is Saturday, September 24th at 8:00pm.

The winner of a record breaking twelve Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book, this comedic tour-de-force leaves you rolling in the aisles, as it irreverently takes a jab at anyone and everyone.

Based on the 1968 film of the same name, The Producers is a monster hit, with all the key ingredients of a side splitting satirical comedy: great tunes, big musical numbers, and fantastic choreography including showgirls, goose-stepping Nazi's, tap dancing old ladies, and of course a dollop of romance. The story follows a washed up Broadway Producer and his nerdy accountant as they concoct a scheme to bilk their backers by overselling the most notorious flop, with intentions to take the unspent millions for themselves. Except for one thing, the show's a huge hit!

Producers Director Jamie Torcellini shared, "I am a huge fan of Mel Brooks' films and I find him to be one of the funniest American comedy writers in history. When I saw the original Broadway Production (at least 4 times!) I went to support my dearest friends who were starring in it. I came away reaffirmed in my knowledge that my friends were brilliant, but I also had a newfound respect for Mel Brooks as an amazing composer. I've had the pleasure of playing Igor in the Broadway musical version of Young Frankenstein at Moonlight Theatre in Vista, and now I have the opportunity to direct his greatest Broadway success, The Producers. I can't wait to work with these wonderful comedic actors, and put our own personal stamp on it. I'm kvelling!"

The cast is led by local favorite Bryan Banville (Ragtime, Singin' In the Rain, La Cage Aux Folles) as Leo Bloom, John Massey (Full Monty) as Max Bialystock, Broadway Veteran and San Diego native Russell Garrett (SDMT Debut) as Roger DeBris, Siri Hafso (West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun, White Christmas) as Ulla, Luke Harvey Jacobs (La Cage Aux Folles, Ragtime, A Chorus Line, White Christmas, Joseph...) as Carmen Ghia, and Lance Carter (42nd Street, Singin' In the Rain) as Franz Liebkind.

Additional cast includes: Danielle Airey, Bradley J. Behrmann, Gerilyn Brault, Lauren Bueno, Farley Cadena, Kyle Hawk, Jenny Hoffman, Tony Houck, Cody Ingram, Katey Konderik, Paul Morgavo, Matthew Ryan, Janissa Saracino, Kayla Schaffroth, Kaleb Scott, E.Y. Washington, and Sarah Wiechman.

The creative team is comprised of Don LeMaster (Music Director), Janet Renslow (Choreographer), Christopher Murillo (Set Designer), Michael Von Hoffman (Lighting Design), Beth Connelly (Costume Designer), Kevin Anthenill (Sound Design), David Medina (Properties Design), Bret Young (Production Manager), and Chandra Anthenill (Stage Manager).

Jamie Torcellini (Director): Jamie is a San Diego native, who has worked locally in many venues including The Old Globe, Starlight, Moonlight, The Lawrence Welk Theatre, and the Avo. As a Director and/or Choreographer, Jamie has mounted The 39 Steps, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Tell Me On A Sunday, Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady, An Evening of One Acts in NYC, Me and My Girl, How to Succeed..., West Side Story, Life Could Be a Dream, Kiss Me Kate, and many benefits and industrials across the country. He also assisted on both of the Stuart Little films starring Gena Davis and Hugh Laurie. Jamie has performed in many Broadway shows since1980, including CATS (Mr. Mistoffelees), Little Johnny Jones (Standby to Donny Osmond), Me and My Girl (Standby for Jim Dale), Jerome Robbins Broadway, Man of La Mancha (Barber), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou), and the original company of Billy Elliot. He has been a teacher of Musical Theatre and Tap at AMDA, and Comedy Improv for several institutions, including Notre Dame De Namur.

Performances run September 23 - October 9, 2016 at the Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego. Showtimes are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. For more information on The Producers and upcoming SDMT productions, call the box office at (858) 560-5740 or visit www.sdmt.org.

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