ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Delta County’s Players de Noc theatre group is rehearsing for its latest production, The Producers.
“It is the most ridiculous show you could ever hope to see,” said director Jamie Peterson. “The Producers is a Mel Brooks original. He originally did it as a film, later coming back in the early 2000s, adapting it to Broadway for a musical. It is, without a doubt, the worst musical we’ve probably ever done!”
The story follows a producer and his accountant as they set out to create a spectacular Broadway flop.
“People should come out to see this show so they can laugh and have a great time,” Peterson said. “We all know Mel Brooks; he is the most insulting type of humor you could ever want. I hope he’d be proud of what we’re doing here on this stage.”
The show’s high energy is driven by a live orchestra of 18 musicians.
“It’s a mentorship all around,” said Peterson. “We’ve got veteran professional musicians working with high school students, teaching them the proper way to prepare, to be in a pit, to collaborate and work with others. It’s phenomenal.”
The Producers is the final show of the Players’ 2025 – 2026 season. This season’s shows have been performed at Bay College’s Besse Theater since May, when a lightning strike started a devastating fire in the Bonifas Theater.
“It really is all about community—not just Bay College welcoming us as part of their community here on campus, but the sheer number of people from the community that have invested themselves in the show,” Peterson said. “With a crew of over 100, a cast of over 30, and nearly 20 people in the orchestra, we’ve got over 150 people from our community that have touched this show one way or another.”
Amid rehearsals, the Players crew has been working to get the Bonifas Theater ready for future seasons.
“We’re in the process of rebuilding,” said Peterson. “We’ve got areas of the theater that are under construction right now. We’re waiting for vendors to fill orders for new seats, new acoustic ceiling tiles. We’re trying to get on schedules for professional sound and audio installation. It is coming along.”
As this season comes to a close, Peterson says the Players de Noc are grateful for the collaborative effort that has made shows like The Producers possible.
“I want to extend my deepest appreciation to everyone who has helped out with The Producers,” he said. “This is a huge crew, a giant undertaking, and quite possibly one of the largest musicals we’ve ever attempted in my 30-plus years with Players de Noc. To every individual that has touched this show, I’m so grateful for your involvement.”
The Producers runs March 6 – 7 and March 11 – 14 at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance on March 8 at 1 p.m. The show is recommended for audience members ages 13 and older due to some mature content.
The following statement was provided to WZMQ 19 by the Players de Noc: “All content presented is intended for theatrical and entertainment purposes only and does not reflect the views, values, or beliefs of the College. The Producers contains some mature content, and for those concerned about that, we recommend it for those 13 years of age and older.”
To purchase tickets for The Producers, visit playersdenoc.org.
