Stanek, Davidson, Bodnar, Wetzel and More Cast in North Shore's The Producers

By Andrew Gans
21 Apr 2008

Scott Davidson and Jim Stanek in The Producers.
Scott Davidson and Jim Stanek in The Producers.
Photo by Paul Lyden

Casting is now complete for the North Shore Music Theatre's upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning Mel Brooks-Thomas Meehan musical The Producers.

As previously announced, the New England regional premiere of the musical based on the Brooks film of the same name will begin previews at the Massachusetts venue May 13 and will co-star Scott Davidson (Hairspray) as Max Bialystock and Jim Stanek (Lestat, Little Women) as Leo Bloom.

The comedic duo will be joined onstage by Amy Bodnar as Ulla, Stuart Marland as Roger DeBris, Patrick Wetzel as Franz Liebkind and Fred Berman as Carmen Ghia. The ensemble comprises Noah Aberlin, Kristi Ambrosetti, Gale Bennett, Joel Briel, Kyle Brown, Jameson Cooper, Ashley deZeeuw, Veronica DiPerna, Madeleine Doherty, C.K. Edwards, Valerie Fagan, Tim Falter, Leslie Flesner, Alexa Glover, Shari Jordan and Robin Lewis.

Opening night at the North Shore is scheduled for May 15, and the production — directed and choreographed by Bill Burns — will play through June 1.

In a statement North Shore's new artistic director and executive producer Barry Ivan said, "What better way to begin this spectacular season than with the musical that has won more Tony Awards than any other show in history. We are also paying tribute this season to the legendary Tony Award-winning Susan Stroman who originally directed and choreographed The Producers for Broadway, making it a perfect fit."

The Producers features a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. The musical, according to North Shore, "chronicles the hilarious adventures of washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom, as they scheme to get rich quick by producing the most notorious flop in the history of showbiz. What they don't know is that after all their hard work, the musical ends up being a smash hit!" Song titled include "I Wanna Be a Producer," "When You Got It, Flaunt It," "Springtime for Hitler" and "Prisoners of Love."

The creative team also includes Dale Rieling (musical director), Campbell Baird (scenic designer), Jack Mehler (lighting designer), John A. Stone (sound designer), Gerard Kelly (wig designer), Michael Gacetta (assistant musical director), Laurie Silipigno (production stage manager) and Alicia Reese (assistant stage manager).

Show times are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.

Tickets, priced $42-$79, are available by calling (978) 232-7200 or by visiting www.nsmt.org. The North Shore Music Theatre is located at 62 Dunham Road in Beverly, MA.