PLAYERS TO INAUGURATE MERV GRIFFIN THEATER WITH `HITMAKERS'

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- The Players Riverboat Hotel, part of the new entertainment complex in Metropolis, Ill., will inaugurate its 350-seat Merv Griffin Theater on June 24 with the Opryland Productions Group's Hitmakers musical revue.

"We're excited and optimistic about working with Opryland Productions Group on this project," said Ed Fishman, chairman and chief operating officer of Players International, Inc. "The riverboat industry has taken America by storm, and the success of our two properties, in Metropolis and Lake Charles, La., has led us to look at other services for our guests.

"The Merv Griffin Theater will provide a new entertainment option, beginning with Hitmakers, and we hope it can lead to similar venues at our other properties as well as further projects with Opryland."

According to John Haywood, executive producer of Opryland Productions Group, Hitmakers is a "razzle-dazzle tour through our musical history, from down-home country to Las Vegas-style show tunes to high-energy rock'n'roll.

"We've put together a talented ensemble of performers who are capable of bringing the music to life for the audience," said Haywood.

Hitmakers is the most recent project from Opryland Productions, which produces all of the entertainment for the Opryland theme park, the Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio, the Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Boomtown Casino in Las Vegas.

The group is also producing the opening ceremonies for soccer's World Cup competition in Chicago.

In addition to Hitmakers, the Merv Griffin Theater's grand opening festivities will feature internationally renowned comedian Lonnie Shorr, whose simple comedic style and contemporary satire have been compared to Will Rogers. Shorr will appear at the theater from July 5 to July 30.

The Merv Griffin Theater is located adjacent to the 120-room Players Riverboat Hotel, which opened in the fall of 1993. The theater, hotel, Players Riverboat Casino and their related restaurants and shops comprise the Merv Griffin's Landing complex.

The Hitmakers will be presented Tuesdays through Sundays at 3:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. beginning June 24.