stunt girl - Village Theatre

Village Voices • February 2009
Page 5
ON STAGE
INFORMATION
Mainstage
Subscriber Rewards Card Participants as
of February 4, 2009:
Stunt Girl
The Amazing True Adventures of Nellie Bly
Music by David Friedman
Book and Lyrics by Peter S. Kellogg
Issaquah: March 18-April 26, 2009
Everett: May 1-24, 2009
Show Boat
Music by Jerome Kern
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the Novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber
Issaquah: May 13-July 3, 2009
Everett: July 10-August 2, 2009
Pied Piper
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Produced by Theatreworks USA
Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Book by Jules Tasca • Music by Thomas Tierney
Lyrics by Ted Drachman • Directed by John Henry Davis
Everett: Sunday, May 17, 2009
2:00 PM only
KIDSTAGE
Save As . . .
Book by the 2009 KIDSTAGE Company
With mentorship by Suzy Conn
Songs by Suzy Conn and Orlando Morales
Issaquah: March 6-15, 2009
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr.
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and
Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory” by Roald Dahl
Issaquah: April 2-5, 2009
Anabel’s Framing & Gallery • At Home Vet • Bherd
Studios • Chopstix, Everett • Christopher’s
Lamp Intuitive Arts • Countryside Floral and
Garden • FINS Bistro • Fitness Together
• Howard/Mandville Gallery • Lake City Florist
• The Majestic Cafe • Mariposa Day Spa
• North Creek Medical • Pilates Northwest
• Pogacha of Issaquah • Prohibition Grille
• Rain City Cigar • Seattle Parties • Seiko the
Company Store • Thai Gusto • Yoga Circle Studio
Complete details are available online.
Discount for Family and Friends
Subscribers receive a 10% discount on additional single tickets, including gift certificates.
Complimentary Subscription to
Village Voices
Only Subscribers receive a complimentary
subscription to Village Voices, the Village
Theatre newsletter published with each show,
keeping you up to date with all of Village
Theatre’s programs: Mainstage, Village
Originals, KIDSTAGE, and Pied Piper.
Free Ticket Exchanges
Only Subscribers can exchange tickets for another
performance of the same production for free.
Box Office:
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, Issaquah
(425) 392-2202
Everett Performing Arts Center
(425) 257-8600
Hours: Tue-Sat 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
www.villagetheatre.org
Save the Date
On
the Town
Village
Theatre
with
o
Annual Auction & Gala
Saturday evening
May 16, 2009
Mainstage • Village Originals • KIDSTAGE • Pied Piper
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
www.villagetheatre.org
MISSION of
Village Theatre:
To be a regionally recognized and
nationally influential center of
excellence in family theatre:
• To promote a season of top quality
productions
• To commission and produce new
musicals that achieve national
exposure
• To train young people in theatre
skills for career opportunities and
enriched lives
• To develop a broad-based
appreciation for live theatre
• To promote positive values
through art
B
ased in Issaquah, with operations in
Everett, Village Theatre is a leading
producer of musical theatre in the
Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining
quality productions for the entire family
since 1979, Village Theatre has grown
into one of the region’s best-attended
professional Equity theatres. Through its
Village Originals program, Village Theatre
is nationally recognized for its contribution
to the development of new musicals,
having launched over 80 new works to
date. Village Theatre also takes pride in
nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its
youth education programs, Pied Piper and
KIDSTAGE, serving over 54,000 young
people, families, and schools annually. n
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Village Theatre
Village Voices
February 2009 • Volume 27, Issue 4
The Newsletter for Village Theatre Subscribers
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027 • (425) 392-2202
Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201 • (425) 257-8600
Extra! Extra! Nellie Bly Circles Globe and Lands in Issaquah
World Premiere New Musical
STUNT GIRL
EXTRA
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The Amazing True Adventures of Nellie Bly
NELLIE BLY
CIRCLES
GLOBE IN
72 DAYS
NELLIE BLY EXPOSES ASYLUM
I N TH I S I S S U E
Mainstage Productions are Funded in Part by
Mainstage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Messages from the Executive
Producer and Artistic Director . . 2
Village News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Q & A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Youth Education . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sponsor Spotlights . . . . . . . . . . 4
Village Originals: New Works . .4
Volunteer Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 4
On Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
Subscriber Information . . . . . . 5
Contact Jessica Wright at (425) 392-1942 x151
or [email protected].
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Season Partners
“Stunt Girl is about the life of Nellie Bly. If you just said
“Nellie who?” you’re not alone. But once upon a time, she was
world-famous.” —Peter Kellogg lyricist/librettist
T
his world premiere musical production of Stunt
Girl cleverly portrays the life of New York’s first
female journalist, Nellie Bly. Little do many
know, Nellie became famous for her incredible,
undercover journalism, namely for pretending to be crazy in
order to get herself committed to the women’s insane asylum
on Blackwell’s Island. From within the Asylum, she wrote
a series of articles about the appalling conditions, all in an
effort to establish a positive reputation with her future boss
Joseph Pulitzer, and a permanent position at the New York
World newspaper.
Throughout her rollercoaster career in journalism, Nellie
completed a myriad of stunts. In 1889, she set off on a
voyage around the world in hopes of
breaking the world record. With the
public avidly following her progress
in the paper, she arrived back in
New York City on the 72nd day a
nationally known figure claiming
the world record. She was so
successful in her stunts that an entire
generation of women began to risk their reputation, and
sometimes their lives, all in an effort to break into the men’s
world of the press. The incredible irony of her life was the
fact that she accomplished these great feats in a time when
women were not even allowed to vote.
Throughout her lifetime, Nellie persevered through love and
loss, career struggles, women’s right’s issues, and more. Stunt
Girl highlights the many trials this incredible historic figure
encountered, while also keeping it light and entertaining.
Kellogg comments, “It’s a romantic comedy…it’s not a
feminist musical at all, or if it is, it’s not preachy. Nellie
herself was no feminist. She was an ambitious, complicated
person, who just happened to be a woman. If she blazed a
trail for other women, it was an accidental by-product of
her ambition. Her story is one that should appeal to and
resonate with women today, because they’re still juggling
and struggling with the same career, marriage, and life issues
Nellie took on 100 years ago.” n
Village Voices • February 2009
Page 2
BOAR D OF DI R EC TOR S
Derek Watanabe
President
Mark Davis
Treasurer
Dan Anderson
Christopher R. Cunningham
D. Edward Jones
Anastasia Laabs
Terri Morse
Phil Nudelman
Christine Shuken
Heather Ullberg
Geoff Walker
John F. Shaw
Secretary
Richard L. Wurdack*
*on hiatus
Craig Watjen
Vice President
Board Development
Gary Kneepkens
Vice President Fundraising
VI LL AG E TH EATR E STAF F
Robb Hunt
Executive Producer
Steve Tomkins
Artistic Director
Production
Jay Markham
Production Manager
Operations
Sherrill Dryden
General Manager, Everett
Performing Arts Center
Bradley C. Bixler
Technical Director, Issaquah
William McCoubrey
Technical Director, Everett
Scott Fyfe
Assistant Technical Director, Issaquah
Jacob Rose
Assistant Technical Director, Everett
Suzie Haufle
Casting & Company Manager
Roger Anderson
Properties Master
Gino Scarpino
Sound Designer/Engineer
Craig Bradshaw
Master Electrician
André Burman
Master Carpenter
Adam Michard, Patrick Sherman,
Mark Zetterberg
Carpenters
Geoffrey Higgs
Master Stage Carpenter, Issaquah
Patricia Eileen Kovacs
Props Carpenter/Welder
Julia B. Franz
Master Scenic Artist
Cooper Lanza, John Simpson
Scenic Artists
Cynthia Savage
Costume Shop Manager
Emily Stansifer
Costume Shop/Design Assistant
Esther Garcia, Gail Schueler
Cutters/Drapers
Jenny Nightingale
Office Assistant, Everett
Robert Russell
House/Facilities Manager, Issaquah
Debbie Hinton, Marilyn Israel
House Managers, Issaquah
Pat Friend
House Manager, Everett
Catherine Haseleu, Chris Miles
Assistant House Managers, Everett
Michael McManus,
Connor Russell, Risa Sepkowski
Lobby Attendants, Issaquah
Andee Hansen, Gene Haseleu,
Cherri Lunn, Jon Nightingale,
Marina Roughton
Lobby Attendants, Everett
Box Office
Jennifer Mello
Box Office Manager, Issaquah
Derek Boldrin, Amarah
DeAmborossio, Jeremy Dunn,
Linda Price
Box Office Associates, Everett
Sunny Roskie
Payroll Manager
Douglas Decker
Wig Master
Kelly Haskins
Accounting Associate
Artistic Staff
Tim Symons
Resident Music Director
Talie Johnson-Marghani
Senior Accounting Associate
Shannon Elwood
Administrative Assistant, Issaquah
Youth Education
Kati Nickerson
Director of Youth Education
Development
Louise Kincaid
Director of Development
Suzie C. Bixler
KIDSTAGE Programs Manager,
Issaquah
Bobbi Kotula
Individual Giving Manager
Jessica Wright
Special Events Coordinator
Marketing
Steven Ray Liedlich
Marketing Manager, Everett
Nancy Dolliver
KIDSTAGE Coordinator, Issaquah
Jamie Lilly
Marketing Manager, Issaquah
Angela Linder
Pied Piper Coordinator
Michelle Sanders
Public Relations and
Promotions Manager
Helen Voelker, Michael McManus
Youth Education Assistants, Issaquah
KIDSTAGE Instructors
Megan Adams, John Allman,
Charissa Bertels, Mo Brady, Ryan
Childers, Elisabeth Chowning,
Sara Coiley, Kristin Culp, Taryn
Darr, Christian Duhamel, Leanne
Gravette, Janet Cole Hamilton,
Eric Polani Jensen, Matt Johnston,
Loni Kappus, David Orace Kelly,
Emily Lauckhart, Silas Lindenstein,
Jon Lutyens, Vanessa Miller,
Orlando Morales, Kat Ramsburg,
Jessica Skerritt, Tim Symons,
R.J. Tanciocco, Kathryn Van
Meter, Eia Waltzer, Alexandra
Webb, Erica Weir, Matt Wolfe
We hope you enjoy the show!
Frank Stilwagner
Marketing Advisor
Becky Dobbins
Online Communications
VILLAGE VOICES
Michelle Sanders
Editor
Contributing Writers
Jamie Lilly, Michelle Sanders
Amy Chinn
Graphic Design
There’s a bit of a ‘Stunt Girl’
in all of us!
I
t has been a couple
season since I’ve had the
opportunity to direct a new
musical for the Mainstage—
and what a thrill it is to work
with Peter Kellogg and David
Friedman on Stunt Girl. This
show, like Nellie Bly’s life, is
like a whirlwind. The story and experience of the show
really capture her essence and energy, both of which
are very theatrical. Nellie was a human being who went
against the grain with most experiences in her lifetime,
and that alone makes her story exciting and interesting; a
great piece for the stage.
And, what a Nellie we’ve cast! Sarah Chalfy will take on the
role of Nellie Bly with ease. Originally from Bellevue, Sarah
used to see Village Theatre productions at First Stage, before
the Francis J. Gaudette had even been built. Being back in
town is a sort of homecoming for Sarah, and we’re thrilled to
have her fill Nellie’s shoes in this production.
With Stunt Girl beginning in the 1870s and ending in 1917,
audiences will see the many styles and fashions that shaped
the era in which Nellie lived. This is just one of the fascinating
elements of this show, and who better to tackle this incredible
task than the ever-talented designer, Melanie Burgress. Our
scenic designer, Scott Fyfe, faces a similar challenge as Nellie
travelled literally all over the world during her life. Audiences
will get to experience these travels through the sets that Scott
has developed, and alongside Melanie’s costumes, we will see
these cohesive pieces that truly emulate the era.
We are thrilled to share this world premiere new musical
with you this season. We hope you enjoy it, and help us
spread the word.
Robb Hunt, Executive Producer
Steve Tomkins, Artistic Director
Photo By
Jon Savelle
Courtesy of
Issaquah Press
VILLAGE NEWS
First Stage Renovation
A
fter nearly 100 years of vibrant life, Village
Theatre’s historic First Stage Theatre is headed
for its first full-scale reconstruction this
spring. Village Theatre has plans to reconstruct the
building keeping the integrity of the original look
intact. The real change will happen inside the theatre
giving the building a whole list of improvements
including new restrooms, telescoping seating so that
the theatre space is more versatile, a larger lobby, and more. Come
spring 2009, Village Theatre hopes to be underway with this project.
Soon we will be opening up to the public for donations, and you will
have the opportunity to play a part in this exciting new development for
downtown Issaquah. Watch and listen for more information about this
project and how you can help.
Sue Short
Development Assistant
Loni Kappus
KIDSTAGE Programs Manager,
Everett
Julie Senechal
KIDSTAGE Coordinator
Village Theatre has worked with writers Peter Kellogg
and David Friedman on several occasions in the past.
Peter and David brought their new musical Desperate
Measures to the Festival of New Musicals in 2005 and
just this past summer, they brought their new work
Chasing Nicolette. In fact, even Stunt Girl was part of Village
Originals in 2005 and 2006, proving to be an audience
favorite from the beginning. It’s always a pleasure to work
with David and Peter and we’re thrilled to see Stunt Girl up
on the Mainstage.
Judy Colter, Kristina Horner,
Rachel Leinweber, Haidee Neiman,
Rebecca Oster, Bev Yorkey
Box Office Associates, Issaquah
Randy Werdal
Wardrobe Head, Everett
Erica Weir
Pied Piper Manager
When I first read the script for Stunt Girl, the musical
immediately jumped out at me as something for Village
Theatre. It is both light-hearted and serious, it’s a love
story and a comedy, and it does an incredible job of
recreating a historical figure for its audience in a way that
keeps you continually engaged.
Coral Garey
Assistant Box Office Manager, Issaquah
Finance
Diane Wright
Director of Finance
Janet Cole Hamilton
Youth Education Special Projects
Manager, Everett
B
ack in a time when
women weren’t even
allowed to vote,
Nellie Bly set a precedent
for women everywhere.
By becoming the first
ever, female investigative
journalist, Nellie put her life
and career on the line. She
became the first in a line
of many significant women
reporters to come. Nellie was a woman of strength who
paved new roads with not only her work, but with her
inherent ability to lead.
Angela Frazier
Box Office Manager, Everett
Nadescha Bunje
Wardrobe Head, Issaquah
Blythe Phillips
Artistic Administrator
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE
PRODUCER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Below:
First Stage Theatre
Renovation
Rendering
3 0 t h A N N I V E R S A RY S E A S O N
2009-2010 Season
Announcement Coming Soon!
T
he surveys are in! Village Theatre’s brilliant
artistic team has been holding meetings behind
closed doors, reviewing your survey responses
in order to make the all-important decision of what
spectacular productions will come to the stage in our
30th Anniversary Season. In order to make this difficult
choice, all elements must be taken into account, from
the input of our season ticket holders, to the set and
costume design, and last but not least, to maintaining
the mission statement we set down exactly 30 years
ago. The wait won’t be long now! Subscribers can
expect to receive season ticket renewal information in
the mail on or around March 4, 2009.
Until then, keep an eye out for the official
announcement on our website at www.villagetheatre.org.
General Auditions for
2009-2010 Season
V
illage Theatre will hold its general auditions for
the 30th Anniversary Season in April 2009.
Performers will need to prepare a short monologue
along with one verse and chorus from a musical
theatre song (approximately 32 bars). Non-singers
should prepare two monologues. The season includes
four musicals and one play for the Mainstage, as
well as readings, workshops, and developmental
productions from Village Theatre’s Village Originals
new musical program.
Auditions are by appointment only and will be held
in downtown Seattle and downtown Issaquah. More
information will be available on the Village Theatre
website in March 2009. n
Page 3
Village Voices • February 2009
Q&A :
An Insider Look
With the writers of this
adventurous new musical
Interview with
Peter Kellogg (PK), book and lyrics
David Friedman (DF), music
A
fter four readings of four different
works at Village Theatre, Peter
Kellogg and David Friedman are
thrilled to see one of their musicals make
it to the Mainstage. Graciously, they’ve
offered up some of their exceptional
insights about the show, inviting you
to learn a bit more about Stunt Girl and
what you might expect to see on stage
come opening night.
Village Theatre: Spreading the word about
new musicals can be a bit of a challenge. What are
some of Stunt Girl’s more universal qualities?
David Friedman and Peter Kellogg.
PK: Stunt Girl has something for everyone. It has
a big theme that asks you, what’s more important:
love or ambition. It tells an inspiring, true story of
a woman who succeeds in a man’s world—first
in journalism, then in business. It has big musical
dance numbers. It has a great romance that spans
30 years. And it has, we hope, lots of comedy. David
and I love working on stories that have both heart
and humor.
VT: What are the musical styles audiences can
look forward to enjoying?
DF: I write emotional, contemporary songs
for things that are universally emotional—like
romance—and music in the style of the period for
the livelier songs or for events that are relevant
to the period. Audiences can look forward to
accessible, melodious, memorable tunes that they
can hum while leaving the theatre—hopefully, not
during the show—and that, also hopefully, they
won’t be able to get out of their heads.
VT: What is the inspiration behind the title of the
show?
PK: In 1887, when Nellie Bly first came to New
York City, there were no female news reporters.
No one would hire her. So to win a job with the
New York World, Nellie came up with the idea of
going undercover, pretending to be insane so she
could write about the inhumane conditions at the
Blackwell Insane Asylum. Her articles about the
experience were such a huge hit with the public
that she spawned an entire industry of what were
called “stunt girls”—women who risked their lives
to get a story. At one point, every paper in New
York had a stunt girl, but of course, Nellie was the
first and most famous.
What I like about the title is its irony. No matter
how often she succeeded—and she was the first
woman to achieve many things—everything she
did was treated as a “stunt,” something women
weren’t meant to do. n
YOUTH EDUCATION
KIDSTAGE – Set to Take on a Classic this
Summer with West Side Story
T
Company Originals is back with
the all new musical, Save As…
Set in the mid-1950s on Manhattan’s West Side, the
ground-breaking West Side Story tells the tale of a rivalry
between two teenage gangs of differing ethnic and
cultural backgrounds. The story sings to a beautifully
classical score with music by Leonard Bernstein (Candide,
On The Town)
and lyrics
by Stephen
Sondheim (Into
The Woods,
Sweeney Todd).
Suzie C. Bixler,
KIDSTAGE
programs
manager
comments,
“Director Joey
Bennett and his
Summer Independent 2007
artistic team
production of Sweeney Todd.
selected this
musical for Summer Independent to give the students
a chance to work on a classical musical. This show
truly presents a challenge in both music direction and
choreography, and we’re all excited to see what these
students will do with it.”
his brand new Company Originals production
has been written by, for, and about teens, and it
addresses some of the most important issues facing
this age range
today. Alongside
writing mentor
Suzy Conn
and composer
Orlando Morales,
this Company
Originals team
first began fleshing
out what would
become Save
As… this past
October. As they
continue to build
the story and each
individual role,
the students are
working alongside
director and
Village Theatre
favorite Eric Polani
Jensen. ( Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) “I love being involved
in Company Originals…it’s an incredible opportunity for
both the performers and writers to stretch their abilities,
challenge themselves, and give voice on subjects they want
to deal with as opposed to having a story handed to them
that might not resonate. And from a personal standpoint, it
is exciting to travel along with these new characters, along
with the actors and writers, exploring the potential dramatic
situations their creations can inhabit,” Jensen comments.
West Side Story will run in Issaquah at Francis J. Gaudette
Theatre, July 18-25, 2009. For tickets, contact the Box
Office at (425) 392-2202.
Save As… will debut in Issaquah at First Stage Theatre,
March 6-15, 2009. For tickets, contact the Box Office at
(425) 392-2202. n
he wheels have been set in motion as KIDSTAGE’s
Summer Independent program gears up to tackle
West Side Story for the first time in KIDSTAGE
history. KIDSTAGE Summer Independent is the
pinnacle of the KIDSTAGE program; the productions
are planned far in advance and exhibit some of the finest
talents KIDSTAGE has to offer. Comprised primarily of
KIDSTAGE veterans, Summer Independent productions
are also produced, designed, and directed entirely by
young artists age 20 and under, and mentored by theatre
professionals.
T
PIED PIPER
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe:
Winter thaws in Everett
T
his captivating musical is based on C.S. Lewis’
adventure story about four children who
accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing
through a magic wardrobe. The famous story takes place
in a strange and wondrous land ruled by a cold-hearted
White Witch, who makes the winter last year round. Will
the Pevensie brothers and sisters, their Narnian friends,
and the great lion Aslan break the spell and allow spring to
return? Audiences of all ages will be captivated by this tale
of magic, heroism, and redemption.
“We appreciate having the opportunity to present their
shows because of the high caliber professional performers
The tour of The Lion, The Witch,
Village
they attract, their incredible reputation, and knack for
and The Wardrobe is produced by
Theatre Pied Piper
selecting educational, relevant, and age appropriate
TheatreWorks USA; the same
and Imagine Children’s
story titles,” Erica Weir, Pied Piper manager
organization that brought
Museum have partnered
comments.
Henry & Mudge last season
together to provide pre-show
and the ever-popular
fun and games, starting one hour
TheatreWorks USA’s production of The Lion, The
production of Junie B. Jones
prior to curtain for all Pied Piper
Witch, and The Wardrobe is a condensed version
in 2006. The Los Angeles
public performances. Children
of the full-length musical, Narnia with book
Times proclaims that
can participate in engaging showby Jules Tasca, music by Thomas Tierney,
the musical, “Conveys
related activities and create arts
and lyrics by Ted Drachman. This 60-minute
the inspirational magic
and crafts at displays set up in
musical is recommended for children ages six
that has captivated young
the lobby of the Everett Civic
and up, and will take place at Everett Civic
readers for decades.”
Auditorium on the day of
Auditorium on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
TheatreworksUSA has
this performance.
only. For more information or to order tickets,
been touring this particular
please contact the Box Office at (425) 257-8600 or
production since 1993, and it is
visit the website at www.villagetheatre.org. n
a delight for Pied Piper to present it.
Youth Education is Funded in Part by
Season Partners
Village Voices • February 2009
VOLUNTEER
CORNER
The Dynamic Duo
Anastasia Laabs and Christine Shuken
Page 4
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
STARRING SHOW SPONSORS
C
ascade Bank, a member of the Issaquah community for 20 years and in the Everett
community for 93 years, is pleased to continue its support of Village Theatre by sponsoring
the new musical, Stunt Girl.
Independently and as a team, Cascade Bank employees are committed to the greater Issaquah and
Everett area communities by sharing in the responsibilities and joys that come from establishing deep roots. Sponsorship
of this Village Theatre production is a fine example of the bank’s award-winning support that enhances the communities
served by the bank’s 21 branches.
Cascade Bank was established in 1916 and has remained a locally-managed community bank. A focus on solid banking
fundamentals and exceptional customer service continues to fuel the bank’s progress as a market leader.
Community banking and local theatre is a natural partnership. Each has the same goals of enriching the quality of life for
community members. Thank you for sharing in this vision by supporting Village Theatre. Enjoy the show!
A
nastassia Laabs and Christine Shuken
exhibit their extraordinary passion and
commitment to Village Theatre in a variety
of areas. Currently, they are serving as the cochairs of Village Theatre’s annual gala. In this role
they continue to display an abundance of ingenuity
and enthusiasm for which Village Theatre is
exceptionally grateful.
Village Theatre’s annual gala is the largest fundraising
event of the year. As Christine explains “the ticket
price to go to the theatre only covers a fraction
of what it takes to bring Village Theatre programs
to life.” In fact, Village Theatre tickets only cover
about 80%. The annual gala is a necessary part of
what keeps Village Theatre alive. Both Anastasia and
Christine have served on the gala committee in the
past, but are co-chairing the event for the first time
this year. “It is truly a magical night of giving.” says
Laabs “Last year’s Gala was such a success; it will
be a wonderful challenge to come up with new
surprises and packages for our guests at the 2009
Gala!” It will be no small undertaking, but Village
Theatre is confident that this dynamic duo will
create a night to remember.
While not working on the Gala, both of these
inspirational women contribute to our community
in a number of ways. In her free time, Christine
has worked with organizations such as Childhaven,
ASTAR, Special Olympics, and the Martinez
Foundation. “I am especially loyal to organizations
that support and empower those who don’t always
fit inside the box” she explains. She is also a
mother of three children, two of which are actively
involved in Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE program.
For her, the Village Theatre journey began when
her son became a part of a KIDSTAGE production
of The Music Man Jr. “I became enamored with
KIDSTAGE” she declares.
Anastasia, on the other hand, recently relocated
to Issaquah and found that the theatre eased the
transition to her new home. After receiving tickets
to Bye Bye Birdie as a gift, she decided that Village
Theatre would be a perfect way to get involved in
the new community. “The theatre is an excellent
place to escape, if only for a few hours, from some
of the negative news and pressures we face,” she
explains, “the arts play a very important role in
keeping our local economy strong. That’s worth
sustaining.” Anastasia is also a strong supporter of
Eastside Catholic High School, where her daughter
attends, and Women’s Enterprises International,
which supports young women in other countries.
With the economic recession in full swing, the
support of Village Theatre volunteers and donors
is more important than ever. It is with humility and
the deepest appreciation that we thank Christine
and Anastasia for their help and encouragement,
past, present, and future. As Christine explains,
“The arts play a critical role in the whole
development of an individual, a community, and all
of society. It is a shame that arts appreciation and
education are not considered absolute necessities,
regardless of the state of our economy. Without
them, we cannot fully explore and express what
it means to be human—to think outside the box,
to feel deeply and freely, and to express ourselves
without apprehension.” n
I
ssaquah and Sammamish Reporter Newspapers are delighted to sponsor Village
Theatre’s World Premiere production of Stunt Girl. Based on the true life of the
incredible investigative journalist Nellie Bly and her love of journalism. As the local
papers of the Issaquah and Sammamish communities, we felt this show would be perfect
for our sponsorship and we are proud to promote it in our publications throughout the Eastside! W
e believe family and community come first! In the spirit of warmth, compassion, reaching
out, and caring for others, Rowley Properties is proud to support Village Theatre, who gives
back through arts and arts education to our community. A community we’ve been a part of for over
55 years! For more information about our building portfolio and services, please visit our website at
www.rowleyproperties.com. We hope you enjoy Stunt Girl!
Kari Magill
Rowley Properties, Inc.
T
he Larkspur Landing Hotel in Bellevue is proud to once again be a part of Village
Theatre’s family of sponsors. Larkspur Landing is committed to providing business
and leisure travelers with genuine, attentive hospitality, in warm and comfortable
surroundings. Larkspur is dedicated to creating a great experience for all of our guests,
employees, partners, and the greater community. We look forward to continuing to share in the responsibilities, and joys
that come from having deep roots in the area. Our sponsorship of Village Theatre is another rewarding way for Larkspur
Landing Hotels to assist in enhancing the communities in which we operate. Hospitality and entertainment with Village
Theatre is a natural partnership. Each organization has the same goals of enriching the quality of life for community
members. We look forward to supporting Village Theatre today and for many years to come. Thank you for sharing in
this vision by supporting Village Theatre. Enjoy the show!
VILLAGE ORIGINALS: NEW WORKS
Bringing New Life to a Conventional Genre
S
ince taking on the guise of Greek comedies and
tragedies back in 500 BC, the genre of musical
theatre has steadily evolved throughout the years.
The form as we know it today truly settled in during the
golden age of the Broadway musical from 1943-1968. But what
happens next? While classics by Rodgers and Hammerstein
and Irving Berlin still make our toes tap and our hearts sing,
musical theatre continues to transform and cultivate to this
day…thanks to organizations like Village Theatre.
Nurturing the development of new musicals has always
been a significant part of the mission of Village Theatre, and
time has only served to strengthen that resolve. Having
produced two new musicals in the past two Mainstage
seasons and brought over 80 new musicals to the stage so
far, the artistic team at Village Theatre has never been so
proud of the strength of the Village Originals program.
Village Originals alums are taking the stage around
the world. Million Dollar Quartet is rocking the house in
Chicago, garnering excitement and praise wherever
it goes. Meanwhile, Next to Normal, written by Village
Theatre’s own former associate artistic director Brian
Yorkey, recently opened in Washington D.C. to rave
reviews. And in October of 2008, both The Yellow Wood
(Summer 2008) and Barnstormer (Spring 2007) were featured
at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s 20th Annual
Festival of New Musicals.
Arena Stage’s
production of
Next To Normal
Village Theatre is one of a handful of organizations that
works to bring writers and composers together and keep
musical theatre alive and moving. As is evident by the
success of recent Broadway hits Wicked, Mamma Mia, and
Spring Awakening, musical theatre still has much to offer the
arts community. Who knows what great new musical will
sweep the nation next… n
Village Originals is Funded in Part by
Beth Moursund
Lynn G. Meyer
Village Voices • February 2009
Page 5
ON STAGE
INFORMATION
Mainstage
Subscriber Rewards Card Participants as
of February 4, 2009:
Stunt Girl
The Amazing True Adventures of Nellie Bly
Music by David Friedman
Book and Lyrics by Peter S. Kellogg
Issaquah: March 18-April 26, 2009
Everett: May 1-24, 2009
Show Boat
Music by Jerome Kern
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the Novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber
Issaquah: May 13-July 3, 2009
Everett: July 10-August 2, 2009
Pied Piper
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Produced by Theatreworks USA
Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Book by Jules Tasca • Music by Thomas Tierney
Lyrics by Ted Drachman • Directed by John Henry Davis
Everett: Sunday, May 17, 2009
2:00 PM only
KIDSTAGE
Save As . . .
Book by the 2009 KIDSTAGE Company
With mentorship by Suzy Conn
Songs by Suzy Conn and Orlando Morales
Issaquah: March 6-15, 2009
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr.
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and
Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory” by Roald Dahl
Issaquah: April 2-5, 2009
Anabel’s Framing & Gallery • At Home Vet • Bherd
Studios • Chopstix, Everett • Christopher’s
Lamp Intuitive Arts • Countryside Floral and
Garden • FINS Bistro • Fitness Together
• Howard/Mandville Gallery • Lake City Florist
• The Majestic Cafe • Mariposa Day Spa
• North Creek Medical • Pilates Northwest
• Pogacha of Issaquah • Prohibition Grille
• Rain City Cigar • Seattle Parties • Seiko the
Company Store • Thai Gusto • Yoga Circle Studio
Complete details are available online.
Discount for Family and Friends
Subscribers receive a 10% discount on additional single tickets, including gift certificates.
Complimentary Subscription to
Village Voices
Only Subscribers receive a complimentary
subscription to Village Voices, the Village
Theatre newsletter published with each show,
keeping you up to date with all of Village
Theatre’s programs: Mainstage, Village
Originals, KIDSTAGE, and Pied Piper.
Free Ticket Exchanges
Only Subscribers can exchange tickets for another
performance of the same production for free.
Box Office:
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, Issaquah
(425) 392-2202
Everett Performing Arts Center
(425) 257-8600
Hours: Tue-Sat 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
www.villagetheatre.org
Save the Date
On
the Town
Village
Theatre
with
o
Annual Auction & Gala
Saturday evening
May 16, 2009
Mainstage • Village Originals • KIDSTAGE • Pied Piper
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
www.villagetheatre.org
MISSION of
Village Theatre:
To be a regionally recognized and
nationally influential center of
excellence in family theatre:
• To promote a season of top quality
productions
• To commission and produce new
musicals that achieve national
exposure
• To train young people in theatre
skills for career opportunities and
enriched lives
• To develop a broad-based
appreciation for live theatre
• To promote positive values
through art
B
ased in Issaquah, with operations in
Everett, Village Theatre is a leading
producer of musical theatre in the
Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining
quality productions for the entire family
since 1979, Village Theatre has grown
into one of the region’s best-attended
professional Equity theatres. Through its
Village Originals program, Village Theatre
is nationally recognized for its contribution
to the development of new musicals,
having launched over 80 new works to
date. Village Theatre also takes pride in
nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its
youth education programs, Pied Piper and
KIDSTAGE, serving over 54,000 young
people, families, and schools annually. n
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Village Theatre
Village Voices
February 2009 • Volume 27, Issue 4
The Newsletter for Village Theatre Subscribers
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027 • (425) 392-2202
Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201 • (425) 257-8600
Extra! Extra! Nellie Bly Circles Globe and Lands in Issaquah
World Premiere New Musical
STUNT GIRL
EXTRA
EXTRA
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The Amazing True Adventures of Nellie Bly
NELLIE BLY
CIRCLES
GLOBE IN
72 DAYS
NELLIE BLY EXPOSES ASYLUM
I N TH I S I S S U E
Mainstage Productions are Funded in Part by
Mainstage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Messages from the Executive
Producer and Artistic Director . . 2
Village News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Q & A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Youth Education . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sponsor Spotlights . . . . . . . . . . 4
Village Originals: New Works . .4
Volunteer Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 4
On Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
Subscriber Information . . . . . . 5
Contact Jessica Wright at (425) 392-1942 x151
or [email protected].
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Season Partners
“Stunt Girl is about the life of Nellie Bly. If you just said
“Nellie who?” you’re not alone. But once upon a time, she was
world-famous.” —Peter Kellogg lyricist/librettist
T
his world premiere musical production of Stunt
Girl cleverly portrays the life of New York’s first
female journalist, Nellie Bly. Little do many
know, Nellie became famous for her incredible,
undercover journalism, namely for pretending to be crazy in
order to get herself committed to the women’s insane asylum
on Blackwell’s Island. From within the Asylum, she wrote
a series of articles about the appalling conditions, all in an
effort to establish a positive reputation with her future boss
Joseph Pulitzer, and a permanent position at the New York
World newspaper.
Throughout her rollercoaster career in journalism, Nellie
completed a myriad of stunts. In 1889, she set off on a
voyage around the world in hopes of
breaking the world record. With the
public avidly following her progress
in the paper, she arrived back in
New York City on the 72nd day a
nationally known figure claiming
the world record. She was so
successful in her stunts that an entire
generation of women began to risk their reputation, and
sometimes their lives, all in an effort to break into the men’s
world of the press. The incredible irony of her life was the
fact that she accomplished these great feats in a time when
women were not even allowed to vote.
Throughout her lifetime, Nellie persevered through love and
loss, career struggles, women’s right’s issues, and more. Stunt
Girl highlights the many trials this incredible historic figure
encountered, while also keeping it light and entertaining.
Kellogg comments, “It’s a romantic comedy…it’s not a
feminist musical at all, or if it is, it’s not preachy. Nellie
herself was no feminist. She was an ambitious, complicated
person, who just happened to be a woman. If she blazed a
trail for other women, it was an accidental by-product of
her ambition. Her story is one that should appeal to and
resonate with women today, because they’re still juggling
and struggling with the same career, marriage, and life issues
Nellie took on 100 years ago.” n