Palatine's LZP Productions to stage 'The Producers'

By day, Steven Peter of Schaumburg goes from teaching at the Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines, to Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, where he coaches the girls junior varsity volleyball team.

All this, before he hits the stage at night for rehearsals.

However, his biggest challenge lies at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Cutting Hall in Palatine, when Peter and the rest of the cast from LZP Productions open in the area premiere of "The Producers," which runs weekends through Sept. 28.

Peter plays the role of Leo Bloom, the Matthew Broderick part in Mel Brooks' comedy film and the 2001 Tony winner for best musical.

He plays opposite Ken Priess of Hawthorn Woods, in the role of Max Bialystock, the down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, played by Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, who resumed his role in the 2005 movie.

"It's a challenge to live up to such great performances," Peter says, "but it's inspiring us, too."

Peter and Priess share top billing with Peter's wife, Ashley Stricker-Peter. The couple last appeared together in the classic musical, "Annie Get Your Gun," at Cutting Hall, produced by Music On Stage.

Talk about a stretch. Peter goes from playing Frank Butler, the handsome rodeo star, to the mousy accountant, Bloom, who plays straight man to Bialystock's outrageous get-rich-quick scheme.

"It's really exciting to play a new part, and especially to be the first in the area," Peter says. "Besides, if I wasn't in the show, I'd never see my wife."

Principal players also include Peter Buckley of Arlington Heights, Mary Campbell of Palatine, Dustin Rothbart of Northbrook and Frank Roberts of Schiller Park.

While Peter and Priess have worked together in LZP's most recent productions, including "Company," "Victor, Victoria," and "Sweeney Todd," they still worked to tighten their timing and delivery, in playing off each other in these two principal roles, that are so closely identified with the show.

"I'm supposed to be this small, slightly nerdy accountant, which is a stretch, because I don't think of myself like that," says Peter, who teaches physical education, "but we're adding these little gestures and intonation in my voice, that help give that impression."

Morra Priess, Ken's wife and co-founder of the company, directs the 18 cast members, and she describes it as one of the best ensembles the company has ever drawn.

Ensemble members include: Niall Casserly of Streamwood, Roy Brown of Prospect Heights, Nickel Hays of Chicago, Katie Mueller of Chicago, Claudia DiBiccari of Vernon Hills, JoEllyn Romano of Elmhurst, Madeline Franklin of Palatine, Eric Reithel of Chicago, Rick Peter of Elk Grove Village, Kevin Pollack of Buffalo Grove, Jennie Steljes of Elk Grove Village and Julie Koerner of Northbrook.

"We're talking major, major talent," Morra Priess says. "It's some of the best dancing I've ever seen, and each of them are terrific character actors as well. There are some fantastically funny bits, making the show a triple threat."

Unlike the show, in which Bialystock and Bloom try to produce a notorious flop, LZP Productions has carved out a reputation in the area for mounting ambitious musicals, and often area premieres.

They jumped at the chance to stage "The Producers," grabbing its rights nearly as soon as they were released. They also bought the rights to choreographer Susan Stroman's notes, for the chance to showcase the original dancing featured on Broadway.

"It's ambitious all right, with one of the biggest sets we've every had, but we're so excited," Morra Priess adds. "It's just a terrific show."