'The Producers': Gary Beach returns to the role of Roger De Bris

Gary Beach will return to the role of Roger De Bris from the 6 Sep 2005. In the process, Mr. Beach will become the first (originating) star to appear in the same role concurrently on Broadway and in film (when the motion picture version of the hit musical premieres on the 21 Dec 2005).

The role of Roger De Bris is currently played by Jonathan Freeman.

Gary Beach received 2001 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Producers. He most recently starred on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage Aux Folles, for which re received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a musical. His other Broadway credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Tony Award nomination, Best Featured Actor in a Musical), Doonesbury, The Moony Shapiro Songbook, Annie, Something's Afoot, 1776 as well as Broadway Bash and Sweet Adeline (Encores!).

The Producers opened on the 19 Apr 2001 at St James Theatre, following previews from the 21 Mar 2001 and is currently booking up to the 22 Jan 2006.

It's the story of a couple of guys who come up with a scheme to produce the outrageous Broadway musical ever. They think they can take off with all their investors' money-but when the curtain goes up on their gigantic singing, dancing spectacular, they realize their plan has gone ridiculously wrong.

The show opened to rave reviews, and went on to win an incredible twelve Tony Awards in 2001, making the show the recipient of the most Tony Awards in theater history.

The Producers also stars Brad Oscar (Max Bialystock), Hunter Foster (Leo Bloom), John Treacy Egan (Franz Liebkind), Brad Musgrove (Carmen Ghia) and Angie Schworer (Ulla).

The show has music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks, Book by Mel Brooks & Tom Meehan, and is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. It has sets by Robin Wagner, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Steve Kennedy