[NEohioPAL] See THE PRODUCERS this Weekend at Firestone High School in Akron

[firestonetheatre at gmail.com]

It has been called shocking, outrageous and insulting . . . and you
will love every minute of it!

Firestone High School is set to present Mel Brooks’ hysterical comedy
THE PRODUCERS for performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5,
2009, Friday, March 6, 2009, and Saturday, March 7, 2009. A single
matinee is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009.
Advanced, general admission tickets cost $7.00 and at-the-door general
admission tickets cost $10.00. A limited number of premium, reserved
tickets are available for $13.00 and can be purchased in advance or at
the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the box office in the
school commons from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets will be available
at the door for all performances.

The outrageous content of THE PRODUCERS might make it inappropriate
for students under the age of 13.

In THE PRODUCERS, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his
mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most
notorious Broadway flop in history thereby bilking their backers – all
“little old ladies” – out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes
awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo
Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show
(the gloriously offensive “Springtime for Hitler”), hiring a director,
raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a
lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of The Producers is a
poignant, emotional journey of two men who become friends. The
Broadway production featured Nathan Lane and Mathew Broderick and
became a run-away smash hit. It was called “a gift from the show-biz
Gods” by Richard Zoglin of Time Magazine.

Follow the following URL address to read a feature article recently
published in Akron's weekly West Side Leader.
http://www.akron.com/akron-ohio-entertainment-news.asp?aID=4770

THE PRODUCERS is under the direction of FHS theatre director Mark A.
Zimmerman. Choreography is by guest artist Rachel Yunker. She is
assisted by Kent State University student Ashley Swaney. FHS choral
music director Sally Schneider serves as the production’s vocal music
director. Guest artist Randie O. Sass serves as the costume designer.
Guest artist Erin Bennett serves as the make-up and hair designer. FHS
instrumental music instructor serves as the production’s instrumental
music director and conductor. Guest artist Daniel Taylor serves as the
production’s shop foreman and master carpenter. Guest artist Jordan
Cooper serves as the rehearsal accompanist. Elynmarie Kazle is the
production manager.

Sophomore Annika Johnson serves as the production’s stage manager. She
is assisted by juniors Laura Becker and Anika Gupta. FHS graduates
Samantha Ost and Courtney Hulmes serve as the props designers. Junior
Elise Burnett is the production’s sound designer.

The cast of Firestone Theatre’s production of The Producers is led by
seniors Brian Jackson (Max Bialystock), Rosilyn Jentner (Ulla) and
Andrew White (Leo Bloom). Featured performers include seniors Chris
Bozeka (first storm trooper and others) and Kody Fitzgerald (Mr.
Marks), as well as juniors Ian Bolden (Franz Liebkind), Cirra Byrd
(Hold Me-Touch Me), Stephen Carder (Carmen Ghia), and Kevin Glass
(Roger De Bris).  The cast is completed by seniors Je’Nae Dozier,
Martin Droge, Liz Haase, Kyle Mayfield, and Grace McCarthy. The cast
for The Producers also includes juniors Jesse Askew, Liz Harris, Kyrie
Harris, Katie Jetter, Amanda Klein, and Shayla Smith; sophomores in
the cast include Bryan Bates, Kaitlinn Brewer, Tricia Cooke, Tessa
DiTirro, Eamon Dougherty, Caeli Droge, Krissa Duhon, Randall Hall,
Hayley Hineline, and Denzel Washington; freshmen in the cast include
Jon Bozeka, Connor Downey, Matt Harp, and Hannah Pryseski.

Saturday, March 7, 2009, marks the date of the very first Firestone
Theatre Spaghetti Dinner to be held in the school cafeteria between
the matinee and evening performance of The Producers. A complete
dinner with salad and dessert will be served at a reasonable price
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Patrons from both the afternoon and
evening performance are invited to eat a delicious dinner with us
either before or after their show. Dinner-only patrons will be welcome
to attend.

These performances represent the first Ohio high school production of
THE PRODUCERS since the release of its rights to amateur and
educational theatre groups. Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio, is
set to present the play starting Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Firestone
High School might rank among the first five schools nation-wide to
present the outrageous comedy as only a handful of school productions
can be found. The THE PRODUCERS is presented by special arrangement of
Musical Theatre International.

Firestone Theatre is the play-producing component of the high school
visual and performing arts program for the Akron Public Schools. The
magnet arts theatre program, which is housed at Firestone High School,
is open via audition and open enrollment to any incoming ninth grade
student.  Visit our website at www.FirestoneTheatre.com for additional
information. The school is located at 333 Rampart Avenue in Akron.


-- 
Mark A. Zimmerman,
Theatre Director

Harvey S. Firestone High School
333 Rampart Avenue
Akron, Ohio 44313

330.873.3408
www.FirestoneTheatre.com