The producers of The Producers, the new Mel Brooks musical, cancel 2005-2006 tour
May 24, 2005
The producers of The Producers, the new Mel Brooks musical, have cancelled the show's scheduled 2005-2006 North American tour. The musical comedy had been slated to make a stop at Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium for eight performances in October 2005.
The Producers would have been part of the Center for the Performing Arts Bright Lights series. Discounted subscriptions to Bright Lights, which features the tours of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Oklahoma!, go on sale Wednesday, June 1, at Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus and Penn State Tickets Downtown, 146 S. Allen St., State College. Subscriptions to Bright Lights and the other four Center for the Performing Arts series-Master Works, Cool Heat, Intimate Excursions and Forever Young-may also be purchased beginning June 1 by phone or mail. Phone (814) 863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX. For a printable, mail-in order form and complete details about the subscription series, go to www.cpa.psu.edu.
The Producers 2005-2006 tour was a victim of the musical's success. Brooks, who wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book for the Broadway smash, and Susan Stroman, director and choreographer, are busy working on the film version of the show. Brooks and Stroman wanted to supervise the creation of the new stage tour, but their involvement in the film, scheduled for release later this year, prevents them from doing so.
"We are disappointed in the news that The Producers entire 40-week tour has been cancelled," says George Trudeau, director of the Center for the Performing Arts. "We are currently exploring our options for adding a new performance to our season to replace The Producers. Meanwhile, we are very excited about the two great Broadway-style productions that will be stopping here next season-Thoroughly Modern Millie in September and Oklahoma! in February."
The Producers film will likely heighten interest in theatrical presentations of the musical comedy, say the producers, who plan to have Brooks and Stroman available to mount a new tour for the 2006-2007 season.
Contact: Laura Sullivan
(814) 863-6379