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PARKERSBURG -- After beginning preparations more than two years ago "The Producers" will open April 22 at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg for a three-week run.
The show was originally cast in January 2020 and was about six weeks away from opening when COVID-19 shut down the theater. Director Brent Null and an extensive cast and crew are now ready to bring the Mel Brooks comedy to the stage.
"The Producers" is about Max Bialystock, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, and Leo Bloom, his mild-mannered accountant, who come up with a scheme to bilk backers, all little old ladies, out of millions of dollars by producing the most notorious flop in history.
Only one thing goes awry. The the show is a smash hit. Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom maneuver their way through finding a show, hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds. At its core, this insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.
"If you like Mel Brooks, you will love 'The Producers,'" said Null. "Mel Brooks uses humor to address fear and hate. What better way to do that than to be over-the-top and in-your-face with songs like 'Keep it Gay' and 'Springtime for Hitler'?"
After the pandemic hiatus, the 2020 cast and crew were offered their roles and positions. About half agreed to return.
"We held auditions again in January and will open exactly two years, less two days, from our original opening date," Null said.
With the length of time between the two productions, the show had to basically start from scratch, especially with so many new cast members, Null said.
"We had to replace one of our major lead roles so that was definitely a concern heading into the new auditions. Fortunately, we were able to secure a veteran performer, R.J. Lowe, who stepped into the role of Max Bialystock," Null said. "Amazingly, the original cast members retained much of what they had learned, so it was fairly easy for us to piece the show together."
Null said it has been a joy to work with this cast.
"Everyone working on the production has gone above and beyond to ensure a quality finished product," he said.
From a production standpoint, the show is huge in terms of people, costumes, the number of scene changes, large set pieces, many props, numerous songs, challenging dance numbers and much more.
Null is excited for audiences to see the show.
"It was an easy decision to want to direct 'The Producers.' I was fortunate enough to play Max Bialystock in a production in 2014 in Sacramento, Calif. I was also one of the set designers," he said. "Given my background and knowledge of the show, I have been able to make adjustments and tweak the show for the guild stage. I think audiences will thoroughly enjoy this production."
The show runs through May 7.
Curtain time is 8 p.m. April 22, 23, 29, 30 and May 6 and 7, 6 p.m. May 1 and 2:30 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors and are available on the guild website at www.actors-guild.com.
The corporate sponsor for the production is The Deitzler Foundation. The show is rated PG13.
Cast, in alphabetical order:
* Braden Barnett: Sergeant/Trustee/Ensemble
* Mckenzie Barnett: Ensemble
* Emily Biles: Ensemble
* Lori Clark: Hold-Me Touch-Me/Ensemble
* Cassie Cline: Usherette/Ensemble
* Dayna Cooper: Ensemble
* Jeff DeWitt: Bryan/Jack Lepidus/Judge/Ensemble
* George Faber: Mr. Marks/Guard/Ensemble
* James Hughes: Scott/Donald Dinsmore/O'Houllihan/Ensemble
* George Litman: Franz Liebkind
* R.J. Lowe: Max Bialystock
* Staci Medendorp: Lick-Me Bite-Me/Ensemble
* Conner Medendorp: O'Rourke/Bailiff/Ensemble
* Grace Miller: Ensemble
* Jaden Moellendick: Ensemble
* Jennifer Moellendick: Kiss-Me Feel-Me/Ensemble
* Taryn Newsom: Ensemble
* Alexis Parsons: Ulla
* Chris Parsons - Leo Bloom
* Chloe Rader: Shirley Markowitz/Forewoman/Ensemble
* Joe Reeves: Roger De Bris
* Will Richmond: Kevin/Jason Green/Ensemble
* Kaelynn Seebaugh: Ensemble
* Hector Velez: Carmen Ghia
* Brittany Ward: Ensemble
* Jack Whited: O'Riley/Ensemble
* Randi Wilson: Usherette/Ensemble
* Emma Withrow: Ensemble
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Production Staff and Crew:
* Brent Null - director
* Marsha Mueller - assistant director, props
* Mike Lockney - musical director
* Marsha Parsons - accompanist/assistant musical director
* Alexis Parsons: choreographer
* Beth Lane/John Gradwohl: technical directors
* David Rexroad: adviser
* Costume designers: Amy Snider, Tina Withrow.
* Costume crew: Betty Dotson, Heather Gaston, James Hughes, Will Richmond, Michele Santer, Ann Simonton, * Amy Snider, Diana Snider, Tina Withrow.
* Sabrina Dye: lightboard operator
* Randi Marshall: soundboard operator
* Heather Cooper: projections operator