LAS VEGAS - The MEL BROOKS comedy THE PRODUCERS, at Paris Las Vegas, announced today that critically acclaimed actress Leigh Zimmerman has been cast as the seductive Swedish secretary, "Ulla." Zimmerman has garnered rave reviews for her work as "Ulla" in the Broadway version of THE PRODUCERS and is an Olivier Award nominee for originating the role, alongside Nathan Lane, in London’s West End version. She made her New York debut as an original cast member of the Tony Award winning musical, The Will Rogers Follies. Zimmerman’s other Broadway shows include Chicago, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Crazy for You. No stranger to the screen, Zimmerman currently stars as a Scottish police sergeant, Sergeant Beesley, in the BBC America series Feel the Force and was the featured actor in the critically acclaimed motion picture United 93, which has been nominated for several awards in the film industry. Zimmerman will join television legend David Hasselhoff for the Las Vegas debut of THE PRODUCERS in February of 2007.
Zimmerman has won over critics with her portrayal of "Ulla" in THE PRODUCERS. BBC News said, "The statuesque Leigh Zimmerman brings a touch of glamour to the proceedings as Ulla," and New York Magazine called her "tall, talented and the most terrific looker on Broadway."
The MEL BROOKS musical comedy THE PRODUCERS opened on Broadway on April 19, 2001 to rave reviews, and is the recipient of the most Tony Awards in Broadway history (12, including Best Musical). Based on Mel Brooks’ Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, the show tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock (Brad Oscar) and Leo Bloom (Larry Raben), a mousy accountant. Together, with the help of their flamboyant director, Roger DeBris (David Hasselhoff), they hatch the ultimate scam: to raise more money than they need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their "sure-fire" theatrical fiasco? None other than the musical Springtime for Hitler!
THE PRODUCERS has a Tony Award-winning book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Tony Award-winning lyrics by Mel Brooks, and Tony Award-winning direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The musical also has scenic design by Robert Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, and lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski (all Tony Award winners for their respective work).
THE PRODUCERS was originally produced on the New York stage by Rocco Landesman, Live Nation, The Frankel-Baruch-Viertel-Routh Group, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Rick Steiner, Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks in association with James D. Stern and Douglas Meyer and by special arrangement with StudioCanal. Paris Las Vegas is a Harrah’s Entertainment resort. From its dramatic 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower to authentic architectural reproductions, elegant décor and superb convention facilities, to its fine cuisine, European-inspired boutiques and world-class entertainment, Paris Las Vegas celebrates the romance, excitement and savoir-faire of the European City of Light. In the heart of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the passion, excitement and sophistication of Paris Las Vegas transports guests to Europe’s most romantic city.
Tickets are now on sale for February, March and April 2007. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Paris Las Vegas box office at (877) 374-7469, or online at parislasvegas.com. Group tickets can be purchased for groups of 15 or more by calling (800) 828-3830.