As the years pass, more and more trivia facts come to my attention about Village Theatre. Unfortunately, I think it’s possible that many people just don’t know (yet) about all the incredible things happening right here in downtown Issaquah. Just to get the ball rolling, we’ve posted a list of 10 very interesting facts I bet many people didn”t know about Village Theatre. Read on and if you know something interesting about Village Theatre–by all means, post it as a comment!
- In 1988, Anna Faris played Scout in Village Theatre’s production of To Kill A Mockingbird. Read more here.
- Isaac Brock of the band Modest Mouse used to work as a light board operator for Village Theatre. He was around 12 years old when he started working in the booth.
- Village Theatre’s 2009-2010 Season (also the 30th Anniversary Season) has five shows never before produced for the Mainstage: Chasing Nicolette–WEST COAST PREMIERE, Meet Me in St. Louis, Lost in Yonkers, The Gypsy King–WORLD PREMIERE, and 42nd Street.
- Martin Charnin not only directed the Mainstage production of Shadowlands in 2007, but he also appeared as one of the Jets in the original production of West Side Story in 1957. Martin is best known for his work as the lyricist for the hit musical Annie. “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow…you’re only a day away“
- Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson–known for his Broadway role in XANADU–jump-started his career playing Danny in Grease on the Mainstage in 1999. His other Mainstage credits include Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(c) Dreamcoat in 2000 and Tony in West Side Story in 2001.
- Next To Normal (formerly titled Feeling Electric) is the first musical developed through the Village Originals program to make it to Broadway let alone win 3 Tony Awards!
- Village Theatre owns all three buildings that it uses in Issaquah–Francis J. Gaudette Theatre (Mainstage), First Stage Theatre, and the technical studios space.
- Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. This means that nearly everything you see on stage was built in the theatre or the technical studio space by Village Theatre artisans. From scratch! The 6,000 pound boat built for Show Boat is a great example.
- Randy Rogel not only wrote the book, music, and lyrics to next season’s The Gypsy King, but he is an Emmy-award winning author who also performs! Check him out in the lead role in Singin’ in the Rain.
- Next season marks the first time in Village Theatre history that young professionals (those between 21 and 35) can purchase season tickets at a discount ($150 for five shows!!!!). Facebook has it all.
