Dane Cook Set for Stage Debut in The Producers at the Hollywood Bowl

Comedian Dane Cook will make his stage debut as Franz Liebkind in The Producers at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, according to Deadline.com. Susan Stroman, director and choreographer of the 2001 Broadway production, will direct and choreograph at the Hollywood Bowl. Cook joins previously announced stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Kind, Tony winners Gary Beach and Roger Bart and Rebecca Romijn. The Producers will play a limited engagement from July 27 through July 29.

Based on the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same name, The Producers is the story of two theatrical producers who create a get-rich-quick scheme by purposely producing a Broadway flop. Adapted by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, The Producers features music and lyrics by Brooks with arrangements by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. The Broadway production opened on April 19, 2001 at the St. James Theatre starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The production won 12 Tony Awards and was later adapted into a 2005 film, featuring Hollywood Bowl stars Beach and De Bris.

In addition to his successful career as a standup comic and comedy recording artist, Cook has appeared in the films My Best Friend’s Girl, Dan in Real Life, Good Luck Chuck, Mr. Brooks, Employee of the Month, Waiting, London, Torque and Mystery Men. He had been announced to make his Broadway debut in Neil LaBute's Fat Pig, but the production was canceled.