“A Season of Laughter,” the 2013-2014 Theatre Season at Missouri Western State University, will conclude with Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” April 3-13 in the Potter Hall Theater on the Missouri Western campus. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for faculty/staff/military, and $8 for students and can be purchased in advance at mwsutix.com, in person at the Potter Hall Box Office, or by phone at 816-271-4452.

“The Producers” is Brooks’ adaptation of his first film about a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and a mild-mannered accountant who hatch a scheme to get rich by producing the biggest flop in history. It skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender.” Brooks wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan. It opened on Broadway in 2001 and won a record 12 Tony Awards.

“The show features great singing, great dancing and great mayhem,” said Dallas Henry, assistant professor of theatre and cinema and director of the show. “With Mel Brooks, he never lets off the gas pedal. There’s never a quiet interlude where things slow down. It’s a lot of fun, and a great ensemble piece for the talent that we’ve assembled at Missouri Western and in the community.”

It’s a huge production, Henry said, with a cast of 26, many of them playing multiple roles (including one actress who plays 11 characters), and more than 300 costumes. There are numerous large dance numbers, including a chorus of 16 “old ladies” dancing with walkers. The choreographer is Marla Heeler of the Dance Arts Center in St. Joseph. Kathleen Holeman, director of vocal jazz and jazz piano at Missouri Western, provides musical direction, with a five-piece orchestra providing the score.

Because of adult themes and some adult language, Henry recommends the musical for audiences age 13 and over.

Principal cast members include:

  • Erik Burns-Sprung, junior of Kansas City, Mo., as Max Bialystock
  • Sebastian Smith, senior of Kansas City, Mo., as Leo Bloom
  • Caleb Hazelwood, sophomore of St. Joseph, as Roger De Bris
  • Thomas Delgado, sophomore of Kearney, Mo., as Carmen Ghia
  • Lauren Bergman, sophomore of St. Joseph, as Ulla
  • Riley Bayer, junior of Savannah, Mo., as Franz Liebkind
  • Chuck Hazelwood of St. Joseph as Hitler

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.