Directed by Jim Corti

February 6 – March 17
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Under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit. And so begins one of the most hilarious cons in musical theatre history.

Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
A New Mel Brooks Musical

Under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit. And so begins one of the most hilarious cons in musical theatre history. Max Bialystock used to be the king of Broadway, but after producing one too many flops, he’s now just a has-been forced into seducing little old ladies for money. After an off the cuff comment from his accountant Leo Bloom, dollar signs go off over his head (as well as “beautiful girls wearing nothing but pearls”). With the reluctant help from Bloom, Max goes in search of the worst musical ever. Will it be a flop? It better, or they might find themselves in prison.

The Producers is an uproariously funny musical with hilarious songs that will have you grinning from ear to ear throughout. Nobody does comedy like Mel Brooks, and nobody does shows like the Paramount. Don’t miss it.

Did you know?

  • You may remember the movie with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, but did you know the original movie dated back to 1967 and starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder?
  • The challenge with this show is how to keep pace with the madness of this story, which is the true definition of a farce: “a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.”
  • This show is really big and will look spectacular. Moving from the office, to the street, to the stage, you’ll feel like you’re in the hustle and bustle of Broadway New York right on the Paramount stage.

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Meet the Team

Cast

Jessica Palkovic

Ensemble

Jessica is so excited to be teaching at The Paramount School! Jessi grew up in Peoria, IL, where her love for theatre and dance all began. Jessi studied dance with The Peoria Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education. She also competed in the Youth American Grand Prix, an international ballet competition, in 2010 and 2011. Jessi received her collegiate musical theatre training at The Chicago College of Performing Arts and Western Illinois University. Paramount theatre credits: Cabaret(Texas, u/s Sally), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble, u/s Dorothy) and The Producers (Ensemble). When Jessi isn’t singing and dancing, she enjoys hunting for donuts with her husband, Bobby, and cuddling with their cat, Leche. Jessi is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Blake Hammond *

Max Bialystock

making Paramount Theatre debut

Jake Morrissy *

Leo Bloom

previously in The Secret of My Success, The Producers, Elf, The Little Mermaid and Mamma Mia!

Sean Blake *

Roger DeBris

making Paramount Theatre debut

Elyse Collier *

Ulla

making Paramount Theatre debut

Adam Fane *

Carmen Ghia

previously in Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, The Producers, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Mary Poppins

Ron E. Rains *

Franz Liebkind

previously in The Producers, Cabaret and Beauty and the Beast

Miranda Borkan

Ensemble

making Paramount Theatre debut

Matt Casey *

Ensemble, Jack Lepidus, u/s Leo Bloom

previously in Elf

Jenna Coker-Jones *

Ensemble, Lick-me Bite-me

previously in Legally Blonde

Bethany Christine Elkin

Ensemble

making Paramount Theatre debut

Erica Evans *

Ensemble

previously in Oklahoma!

Allyson Graves *

Ensemble, u/s Ulla

previously in The Wizard of Oz, Elf, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, West Side Story, Hairspray, Oklahoma! and Mary Poppins

Kaitlin Jempson

Ensemble, Swing

making Paramount Theatre debut

Christopher Kelley *

Ensemble, Guard

previously in Cinderella, Kinky Boots, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, The Producers and The Wizard of Oz

Bernell Lassai III

Ensemble, Accountant Soloist, O'Houlihan

previously in Beauty and the Beast and The Producers

Ivory Leonard IV

Ensemble, Swing

previously in Newsies and The Producers

Eben K. Logan *

Ensemble

making Paramount Theatre debut

Nathan Mittleman *

Ensemble, Lead Storm Trooper

previously in 42nd Street

Jessica Palkovic

Ensemble

previously in The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret

Brandon Pisano

Ensemble, Kevin, Donald Dinsmore, Trustee

making Paramount Theatre debut

Sara Reinecke *

Ensemble, Usherette #2, Hold-me Touch-me, Shirley

previously in Kinky Boots, Beauty and the Beast, The Producers, Legally Blonde, Elf, and Mamma Mia!

Jason Richards *

Ensemble, Bryan, Jason Green, Sergeant, Judge u/s Max Bialystock, u/s Franz Liebkind

previously in Cinderella, The Producers and A Christmas Story

Elena Rios *

Ensemble

previously in Elf and West Side Story

Haley Jane Schafer *

Ensemble, Usherette #1

previously in The Secret of My Success, Newsies, The Producers, Elf, The Little Mermaid and Mamma Mia!

Sawyer Smith *

Ensemble, Blind Soloist, Scott, Dance Captain, u/s Roger DeBris, u/s Carmen Ghia

previously in Cats, Rent and A Chorus Line

Anthony Sullivan Jr. *

Ensemble

previously in The Producers, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid and West Side Story

Marco Tzunux

Ensemble, O'Riley, Foreman of Jury

making Paramount Theatre debut

J Tyler Whitmer *

Ensemble

previously in The Producers, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Elf, The Little Mermaid, Oklahoma! and Miss Saigon

Artistic Team

Jim Corti ‡

Director

Paramount Theatre’s Artistic Director and 8-time Jeff Award winner

Brenda Didier

Choreographer

Tom Vendafreddo

Music Director and Conductor

William Boles †

Scenic Designer

Jordan Ross

Costume Designer

Jesse Klug †

Lighting Designer

Mike Tutaj †

Projection Designer

Adam Rosenthal

Sound Designer

Katie Cordts

Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer

Ethan Deppe

Electronic Music Designer

Jaq Seifert

Fight & Firearm Choreographer

Susan Gosdick

Dialect Coach

Jinni Pike *

Stage Manager

Nora Mally *

Assistant Stage Manager

Trent Stork

Associate Director

Tiffany Krause

Associate Choreographer

Kory Danielson

Assistant Music Director & Associate Conductor

* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
† indicates member of United Scenic Artists (USA)
‡ indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

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fearless … brimming with original ideas … spectacularly zesty in all the right ways … 3.5 out of 4 stars

Chris Jones

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

a stupendous production … audiences will wind up in stitches … 3.5 out of 4 stars

Catey Sullivan

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times

brilliantly subversive, envelope-pushing, yet entirely faithful … far more lavish than the Broadway original.

Hedy Weiss

WTTW

WTTW

bold, brassy, audaciously irreverent … shrewd, sassy treat … 3.5 out of 4 stars

Barbara Vitello

Daily Herald

Daily Herald

Put this on your MUST SEE list! 5 out of 5 stars.

Alan Bresloff

Around the Town Chicago

Around the Town Chicago

Glitzy, spectacular and filled with unstoppable laughs … highly recommended

Colin Douglas

Chicago Theatre Review

Chicago Theatre Review

a gorgeous, non-stop comic gem…line up now or risk breaking a leg or two in the stampede to get into this one!

Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

outrageously funny … if you’re not laughing, check your pulse.

Chicago Now

Chicago Now

near-perfect production

Noel Schecter

Newcity Stage

Newcity Stage

a heck of an entertaining ride

Emily McClanathan

Broadway World

Broadway World

It’s impossible to imagine the show done any better … 4 out of 4 stars

Dan Zeff

Chicagoland Theater Reviews

Chicagoland Theater Reviews

It’s big; it’s bright; it’s colorful … (will) delight first-time or long-time patrons

Patrick O'Brien

Chicagoland Musical Theatre

Chicagoland Musical Theatre

Another great production from the Paramount staff. Very funny and well done!

Marla F., Facebook

EXCELLENT!!! The whole cast did an amazing job.

Paula H., Facebook

As always, you can depend on Jim Corti and staff to cast extremely professional actors/actresses who have incredible voices! And “Producers” was no different. Just another amazing production at the Paramount! Everything about a Broadway production at Paramount is as professional and beats downtown Chicago & Broadway in NYC! Best value anywhere!! Keep it up! Look forward to renewing for next season!

Patron, Survey

OMG, we all LOVED it!!! The actors are all so talented. Loved the energy! Smiled all the way home.

Patron, Survey

Very funny. Haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. One of the best productions we’ve seen so far.

Patron, Survey

What a great and outrageous show! I don’t think I’ve ever been so entertained! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Patron, Survey

Stunning sets, fabulous cast! Loved it!

Paula B.

Facebook

Outstanding show! Fabulous actors! Congratulations on a fantastic show!

Sharon M.

Facebook

This is an absolute MUST SEE

Lisa L.

Facebook

Fabulous fun! Incredible talent!

Mary M.

FANTASTIC!!!

Mary A.

Facebook

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Behind the Scenes

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