Zanesville Community Theatre performs “The Producers”

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Zanesville Community Theatre wrapped up their first performance weekend of “The Producers” with a Sunday matinee.

The production is based off of the Mel Brooks film from 1968 that was turned into a musical in the early-2000s. The story tells the tale of two men who create a plan to get rich by creating the worst shows ever.

“Two men in the theatrical community decide to create this scheme to make their fortune by bilking people out of money– specifically little old ladies– and then putting on the worst show ever created so that it closes immediately and they don’t have to pay their backers back. So they keep all the money and go to Rio. Well they have a great plan, but it doesn’t quite go according to plan,” explains Director, and ZCT Board of Directors President, Jillian Von Gunten.

Being one of the first adult comedies that she was allowed to watch with her parents, the decision to direct this musical was a personal one for Von Gunten. She adds though that there are many performers that this production has special meaning to, and they were adamant that she direct it.

Being such a big production creates it’s challenges, however. The performance includes 30-35 on-stage performers, 15-20 individuals in the orchestra, and approximately six people working in technical on lighting, sound, etc. on a fairly small stage.

The group began their rehearsal process a little more than two months ago, dedicating 3-5 nights per week preparing, and working on complex music written by Mel Brooks.

Von Gunten says that her favorite part of her role as director is being able to witness all the collaboration of the group from start to finish.

“I love the process of creating theatre. And the joy that you have on a community theatre level is you get to play with your friends, which is what I’ve gotten to do. I’ve gotten to watch them be here and make relationships, and build characters, and then I get to watch the whole process and sit upstairs and watch the final product and be super proud of them,” said Von Gunten.

“The Producers” will be shown Friday, June 16th and Saturday, June 17th at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday, June 18th at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased directly from the Theatre online at www.zct.org, or by phone at (740)455-6487.