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Bergen County Players to open 94th season with "The Producers"

Theater Celebrates the Musical's 25th Anniversary and Mel Brooks' 100th Birthday with an All-Star Cast

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 07/11/2026

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Fresh off being named the #1 Theater Venue in Bergen County by (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen poll, the Bergen County Players (BCP) will open its 2026/27 season with Mel Brooks' The Producers. As one of America's longest-running little theater companies, BCP returns for its 94th season to present this area premiere at the Little Firehouse Theatre from September 19 through October 10, 2026.

The production coincides with two monumental milestones: the 25th anniversary of the musical's legendary Broadway premiere, and a worldwide celebration of comedy icon Mel Brooks' 100th birthday.

"Bringing a production of this magnitude to the Little Firehouse Theatre stage is a massive but exhilarating challenge," said Director Alan Demovsky. "Between the show's milestone 25th anniversary and celebrating Mel Brooks' 100th birthday, the energy surrounding this production is palpable. We have assembled a phenomenal group of performers who perfectly balance the brilliant, vaudevillian comedy with the sheer vocal power this score requires. Our audiences are going to be thoroughly entertained and rolling in the aisles".

The cast & crew of "The Producers"




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BCP's premier production features an exceptional lineup of local talent: Russ Crespolini of Randolph as Max Bialystock; Jesse Kriesel of New City, NY as Leo Bloom; Lisa Benke of Westfield as Ulla; Larry Brustofski of Oakland as Roger De Bris; Ian Kenny of Alpine as Franz Liebkind; and Joey Lozada of Hackensack as Carmen Ghia.

Bringing the dynamic choreography and larger-than-life musical numbers to the stage is a powerhouse ensemble featuring Janica Carpenter, Patrick Dwyer, Melissa Giordano, Nicole Henry, Beckham Kern, Allana Mariano, Joseph Martinez, Carlos Palencia Junior, Maria Possavino, Kyle Rifkin, Ariel Sanchez-Bello, and Rachel Silverstein.

"For a production that makes a point of being tasteless, The Producers exudes a refreshing air of innocence," noted the New York Times in its original review. "It is, to put it simply, the real thing: a big Broadway book musical that is so ecstatically drunk on its powers to entertain that it leaves you delirious."

Early Access tickets for The Producers and the rest of the 2026/27 season are available now. Patrons can activate Early Access status by making a minimum $75 tax-deductible donation online or by calling the box office at 201-261-4200. Regular ticket sales for the general public will open on July 20th.

Special discounts for groups of 20 or more are available by calling the box office (extension 6) or by emailing [email protected]. The box office is located at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, NJ. For updates, schedules, and to purchase tickets, visit the Bergen County Players official website at www.bcplayers.org.

Located in Oradell, NJ, Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-equity, volunteer theater company dedicated to presenting outstanding quality productions at affordable prices. Operating continuously for 94 years, BCP has garnered a regional reputation for excellence in community theater.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will present its 2026 holiday production, The Gifts of the Magi from December 5-31 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. A heartwarming musical adaptation of the beloved stories by O. Henry, this enchanting production celebrates the spirit of generosity, devotion, and the true meaning of the season.
 

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