UTICA - The Stanley Theatre opened its doors last week after its long-awaited, multi-million dollar renovation project. Monday, The Broadway Theatre League of Utica kicks off its 50th anniversary in style with a red carpet event for its first show of the season - The Producers.

In just a short while, the limousine pulls up and the Stanley's Board of Directors arrive for their red carpet opening of the Broadway Theatre League of Utica's newest season. Spotlights, fireworks, and of course, the red carpet, mark the 50th anniversary event.

And what better way to kick off that season than with a show that has won a record-breaking number of Tony awards?

The show "The Producers" by Mel Brooks is based upon the 1968 movie of the same name which starred Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel. That film was critically panned and it was decades later that Brooks re-visited the story for a Broadway musical version.

And while the first was panned by the critics, the musical - opening in 2001 - was applauded by critics and won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards.

That one, of course, starred Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick as the two New York City con men who attempt to swindle their investors out of their money by producing a deliberate Broadway flop called "Springtime for Hitler."