PR2016 Jun 20

Theatre Tuscaloosa 9500 Old Greensboro Road #135 • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 • PHONE 205.391.2277 • FAX 205.391.2329 • theatretusc.com

June 20, 2016

Contacts:

Adam Miller, Managing Director

205.391.2925 / amiller@sheltonstate.edu

Harley Sabbagh, Media Contact

205.391.2277 / hsabbagh@sheltonstate.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA PRESENTS MEL BROOKS’ THE PRODUCERS AS 2016 SUMMER MUSICAL

(TUSCALOOSA, AL) – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present Mel Brooks’ The Producers July 15-24 in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College.

This record-breaking winner of twelve Tony Awards is the story of down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom. Together, this mismatched team sets out to cheat their investors—every little old lady in New York—by producing Springtime for Hitler, the biggest flop in Broadway history! 

Showstopping musical numbers include “Keep it Gay” and “Heil Myself.” Adapted from Mel Brooks' cult classic film, The Producers takes no prisoners in this zany musical comedy.

The Producers is directed by Steve Ray, Theatre Chair at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ray is a director, designer, and occasional actor from Tuscaloosa, where he received his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in directing from the University of Alabama. One of his earliest roles was as Lt. Buzz Adams in Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 1990 production South Pacific, directed by Paul Looney. Since then, Ray has worked with companies, including the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Wycliffe Drama Australia, and the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

“It’s so good to be back home working with some long-time friends on a fun show like The Producers,” says Ray. “Working here again is like an old-fashioned theatre family reunion. I’m having a blast.”

“We are so glad to bring the highly accomplished Steve Ray back to his hometown this summer to direct this wildly funny show!” says Tina Turley, executive producer of Theatre Tuscaloosa.

The production team includes Leslie Poss, music director; Laurel Walker, choreographer; Wheeler Kincaid, scenic designer; Jeanette Waterman, costume designer; Erin Hisey, lighting designer; and Ashlyn Lambert, stage manager.

The lead roles are played by Charles Prosser (Max Bialystock), John Walker (Leo Bloom), Dylan Guy Davis (Franz Liebkind), Ray Taylor (Roger Debris), Brodrick Ryans (Carmen Ghia), and Rosie Webber (Ulla). Working alongside the leads are the following: Justin Barnett, Sarah Kathryn Bonds, Da’Vontay Brown, Calvin Bryan, Justin Bryan, Margaret Carr, Colton Crowe, Alexandra Ditoro, Rebecca Dover, Glen Johnson, Casey Kauffman, Kelsey Killgore, Patrick McCaffrey, Emily McGuire, McKay Medders, Kim Palm, Jill Parsons, Jenny Ryan, Andrew Smith, Helen Smith, Brody Southern, Logan Spradley, George Thagard, Davida Tubbs, Lauren Wilson, and Steven Yates.

“The Producers is one of the biggest shows we’ve ever tackled at Theatre Tuscaloosa,” says Turley. “Lots of fun musical numbers, different styles of dance, witty banter, over-the-top characters, crazy sets, and zany costumes can be found within the show. It is quintessential Mel Brooks humor, meaning no one is safe from ridicule. If you want to have BIG fun this summer, come see The Producers!”

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2015-16 Season: Making Fun! is presented in cooperation with Shelton State Community College and is made possible with support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Tuscaloosa, WVUA23, and Townsquare Media. The Producers is sponsored by Buffalo Rock, Alabama One Credit Union, and Southland Benefit Solutions.

The Producers runs July 15-24, 2016, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on Shelton State Community College’s Martin Campus. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturday July 16; also, performances will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sundays, and Saturday, July 23. A pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m.; a portion of these proceeds will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors (60+) and members of the military, and $14 for students and children (thirteen years old and younger). Special rates are available in advance for groups of ten or more.

For tickets and more information, visit www.theatretusc.com or call 205.391.2277.

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Media Note: If you would like to arrange to cover a performance of The Producers, a limited number of complimentary press passes is available. Contact Adam Miller at 205.391.2925 or Harley Sabbagh at 205.391.2277 to make arrangements.

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.