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"
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "London Suite"
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.
The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system.
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.
Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"
(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.
Main Street Theatre Company presents "The Music Man JR."
(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents The Music Man JR. across two weekends from July 11-19, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian in this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic.
Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.
The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts
(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
Iron Mountain Stage Company presents "46 Plays For America's First Ladies"
(RINGWOOD, NJ) -- Iron Mountain Stage Company presents 46 Plays For America's First Ladies from July 11-19, 2026. A biographical, meta-theatrical, genre-bending ride through race, gender, and everything else your history teacher never taught you about the founding of America.
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th
(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann
(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 summer season will begin with a bang with a production of Having Our Say, Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-nominated drama about "two 'maiden ladies' with century-old stories to tell", July 11-21, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theatre.
FEATURED EVENTS
