Village Theatre’s Blog

It’s coming! May 23-25, 2008 at Village Theatre’s First Stage in workshop form.

We asked writers Fred Landau and Skip Kennon what first inspired them to create the musical The Last Starfighter?

FRED: The far-back beginnings were when I was just a year out of law school. The film The Last Starfighter came out, with a video game being a testing ground for greatness. That hooked into the idea that something you’d least expect to change your life would somehow change your life. It was a message I needed to hear and feel at the time, and it hit me almost right away that this was something that could be a subject for a musical - the story of the “little guy” placed in an extraordinary situation. I pretty much filed the idea away in my mind, until I became a student in the BMI Workshop about ten years later…

SKIP: When I had first seen the film, I’d also thought the material could make a terrific musical, but was sure I couldn’t get the rights. Fred had been presenting The Last Starfighter at the BMI Workshop, first in Maury Yeston and Susan Schulman’s workshop classes, then in Nancy Golladay’s class, and after a while, he showed me what he had done. Once we had a sense that we could tell Jonathan Betuel’s story in stage terms, and that we were the right ones to work on it together, Fred and our agent made the basic inquiries and found out the rights to musicalize the screenplay might be available. So I jumped at the chance to work on it, and we decided to pursue the rights together.

More information on the workshop presentation can be found here: http://www.villagetheatre.org/vo_last-starfighter-08.shtml

Village Theatre will hold general auditions for its 2008-2009 Season on May 27, 2008 in downtown Seattle at Theatre Puget Sound (4th floor, Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison, Seattle, Washington), and on May 28-30, 2008 in downtown Issaquah at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre (303 Front Street North, Issaquah, Washington). Auditions are by appointment only. 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. To make an appointment, call Village Theatre at (425) 392-1942 x108 between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday, beginning Monday, April 28, 2008. For more information, visit our website: http://www.villagetheatre.org/auditions.shtml

Pre-production photos were taken yesterday on the Mainstage. We are so excited that AIDA is almost here. Let’s start the countdown today: 13 more days until opening night!

Marliss Amiea (Aida) and Michael Murnoch (Radames)

We’ve been getting lots of inquiries, so we’re excited to finally announce our stellar AIDA cast. Without further ado, we’re proud to introduce the cast of AIDA! (drum roll, please….)

Marliss Amiea (Aida)

Michael Murnoch (Radames)                     Ryah Nixon (Amneris)

Fresh from Los Angeles and making her debut performance with Village Theatre is Marliss Amiea in the title role of the courageous Aida. Some of Amiea’s past credits include Disney’s The Lion King, Little Shop of Horrors, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Playhouse Disney Live Onstage, and Dreamgirls. Formerly a back-up singer for Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Kenny Loggins, and Dave Brubeck, Amiea was also the co-host of Disney’s pilot presentation of Playhouse Disney Lunchtime.

Introducing Minneapolis native (currently a resident of New York) Michael Murnoch in his Village Theatre debut as the handsome and brave soldier Radames. Murnoch has previously appeared Off-Broadway as Julio in Magpie. Other past tour credits include Berger in Hair, Kenickie in Grease, and Max in Cabaret. Some of his regional credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Pirates of Penzance, and Grease.

Returning to Village Theatre, yet making her Mainstage debut, is KIDSTAGE alum and current Carnegie Mellon senior musical theatre student, Ryah Nixon as the beautiful Egyptian princess Amneris. Past Village Theatre credits include 26 in Piece, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, and Louise/Eve in Ruthless!. Some other credits include the role Rusty in Footloose and Lizzie in 110 in the Shade.

Bob De Dea (Zoser)

Last seen on the Village Theatre Mainstage in Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and Jesus Christ Superstar is Bob De Dea in the role of Radames’ father, Zoser.

Terence Kelley (Amonasro)

Terence Kelley returns to Village Theatre in the role of Amonasro, Aida’s father.

Trent Saunders (Mereb)

Trent Saunders returns to Village Theatre as Mereb, the loyal Nubian, after his debut performance in The King and I earlier this season.

Tanesha Ross (Nehebka)

Tanesha Ross, once an American Idol contestant, returns to the Mainstage as Nehebka, the devout Nubian.

Jim Orr (Pharaoh)

Jim Orr is back to play the Pharaoh, after his hysterical delivery man performance in Barefoot in the Park.

After weeks of careful planning and preparation, AIDA set design is underway. Take a look at one of set designer Carey Wong’s initial models in comparison to what our carpenters and scenic designers are beginning to masterfully install on the Mainstage. It’s going to be incredible!

AIDA set designer Carey Wong’s model setting of Amneris’ closet

AIDA floor design installed at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre (design by Carey Wong)

Time has flown! We have only four shows left in Issaquah before we pack up and move the show to Everett. I’ve posted two of my favorite Little Women moments for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

-Michelle Sanders, Public Relations and Promotions Manager

Sorry for the teaser. We know people are dying to know who has been cast in AIDA. We’re not quite ready to announce it yet, but we wanted to let you know it’s coming soon.

Get excited!

Next To Normal has been nominated for three Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Off-Broadway Musical, Best New Score, and Best Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley). The Outer Critics Circle Awards are decided upon by theatre critics from newspapers and other media outlets outside of New York City. Check out the full article here.

But wait, that’s not all! It was announced this morning that Next To Normal has also been nominated for two Drama League Awards. The nomination catagories include Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance Award for Brian d’Arcy James. The Drama League Awards honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing. The full article can be found here.

For those who may not know, Brian Yorkey used to be the Associate Artistic Director for Village Theatre. During his seven year tenure, he directed a variety of productions and served as a creative mind behind such shows as Play It By Heart (book), Making Tracks (lyrics/co-book), The Wedding Banquet (book/lyrics), and Next To Normal (formerly Feeling Electric, book/lyrics). Brian dedicated a large portion of his time to the Village Originals program. It was through this program that Next To Normal came to life, and to see it receive so many great honors is a wonderful accomplishment for Brian and Village Theatre.

Luckily for us, Brian Yorkey is coming back to co-direct Village Theatre’s upcoming production, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA.

Last week the infamous ‘Meet and Greet’ with the AIDA cast was held; an event that officially marks the first day of rehearsals. Cast members, production and creatives teams, and general Village Theatre staff make their appearances and announcements in order to ring in the new show! On your mark, get set, GO!!!

AIDA cast mingling together at the ‘Meet and Greet’

                     RJ Tancioco (Associate Music Director), Tim Symons (Music Director), Brian Yorkey (Director), Steve Tomkins (Director), and Jay Markam (Production Manager)

When asked about her relationship with Louisa May Alcott’s story Little Women, Shanna Marie Palmer had some interesting feedback to offer. Take a look!

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 Of course I heard about the book Little Women while growing up, however I never actually read it back then. I am sort of ashamed to admit it because now after having read the story I know there are a lot of people out there who are devoted to Alcott’s books. My relationship with the story began in August of 2006 when I was a part of the reading in the Festival of New Musicals at Village Theatre. While I was thrilled to join the cast as Amy March at first, I was definitely a little curious about taking on the role of the youngest of the March girls.

Shanna Marie Palmer as Amy March in “Little Women” on Village Theatre’s Mainstage

 After day one, however, it was very clear that Amy was going to be my biggest challenge. Through the reading I fell in love with the depths of these very different yet connected women. I read the novel after the reading and watched all of the film versions. There was something about the complexity of strength in each of the March girls that really intrigued me. After hearing that Little Women would return for the Mainstage season I was elated! To be cast, re-investing in the role of Amy, is a dream come true. To get another chance to develop her and be a part of this new work is an honor. Though our relationship has been relatively short, the beauty of this story is now one I hold dear to my heart.

-Shanna Marie Palmer