Stadlen, Raben, Reams & More to Star in Lyric Theater's THE PRODUCERS

Lyric Theatre brings the best of Broadway to Oklahoma City as the 2009 summer season continues with the smash hit, twelve time Tony Award winning Mel Brooks musical, The Producers, playing August 4th through 8th at the Civic Center. For tickets, call (405) 524-9312 or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com

Lyric's production marks the Oklahoma City premiere of this record-breaking musical comedy, which is based on the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same name. In this hilarious off-the-wall adventure, two scheming theater producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, embark on a get-rich-quick scheme to bilk their investors out of millions of dollars by purposely staging a sure Broadway flop called "Springtime For Hitler." However, matters grow complicated when the show turns out to be a huge success! The Producers opened on Broadway in 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production, national tours, many international productions, and a 2005 film version.

Five stars from New York who have previously done the show on Broadway have joined the Lyric cast for this exclusive Oklahoma City production. Lewis J. Stadlen, the Tony Award nominated Broadway veteran, plays conniving theatrical producer Max Bialystock. Stadlen performed the role in the Broadway company for over 700 performances. Larry Raben portrays nervous accountant turned aspiring producer Leo Bloom, a role he has played both on Broadway and in the Las Vegas production.

The funny and flamboyant "worst director in the world", Roger DeBris, who is hired by Bialystock and Bloom to ensure the failure of their show, is played by Lee Roy Reams, who played the role to great acclaim in both the Broadway, National Tour, and Las Vegas companies, in addition to his many other Broadway credits which include Hello, Dolly!, Beauty and the Beast, Sweet Charity, Oklahoma! and 42nd Street. Sarah Cornell portrays the beautiful Ulla, the aspiring Swedish actress who captures Leo Bloom's heart. Sarah appeared in this role in the Broadway production and also appeared in the off- Broadway production of Evil Dead the Musical. Broadway veteran Jennifer Smith, a member of the original Broadway cast of The Producers, performs as Hold-Me Touch-Me, one of the duped women whom Bialystock romances for money. Smith's Broadway credits also include La Cage aux Folles, She Loves Me, Once Upon A Mattress, and The Drowsy Chaperone.

These Broadway stars are joined by Oklahoma's own Matthew Alvin Brown as Carmen Ghia, the equally flamboyant assistant to Roger DeBris, and Vince Leseney, who portrays playwright Franz Liebkind, the man responsible for the awful musical turned box office blockbuster "Springtime For Hitler".

The outrageous humor of The Producers, featuring ridiculous accents, caricatures, and show biz jokes, mixed with the big Broadway sound of Mel Brooks himself, makes for a night of side-splitting laughter not to be missed. Lyric's production will be directed and choreographed by Bill Burns, who served as the Resident Director/Choreographer on the U.S. National Tour and Las Vegas company of The Producers. He will be recreating the original work of Susan Stroman, who directed and choreographed the show on Broadway. Music direction is provided by Phil Reno, who did so for the Broadway production as well. In addition, Lyric's production also features Broadway sets and costumes, bringing Oklahoma audiences the complete magic of the Great White Way for a fraction of the price.

The Producers will run from August 4th through 8th, at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Tickets are priced from $28 to $55. Senior discounts (ages 65+), Student discounts (ages 18 and under), and Group discounts (20+) are also available. Show times are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00pm, and Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm. For tickets: www.LyricTheatreOKC.com, (405) 524-9312, 1-800-364-7111, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK. The production is rated PG-13 for themes, humor, and language.

Operating since 1963, Lyric Theatre is Oklahoma's premiere professional musical theatre company. The 2009 season will conclude with the production of Little Shop of Horrors, running from August 18th through 22nd. Call (405) 524-9312 for more information or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com.

 

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