Village Theatre’s Blog

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!

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

Introducing Michaela Koerner! Michaela plays the role of Beth March in Little Women, and has kindly agreed to share some of her warm insights. Please enjoy!

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When I tell people that I am playing Beth in Little Women, people less familiar with the story chime in and say, oh, is she the youngest one…the one that gets married…the one that Winona Ryder played in the movie? As I answer no, faces draw sad and say, oh…is she the one who gets sick, the quiet one?

Michaela Koerner as Beth March

Beth is the one that gets sick. However, she has become quite a dear friend to me, and I like to describe her a bit differently. Beth is the quiet one who watches, wiser for her reservation of speech. She is the thoughtful one who knows how to help her loved ones by careful observation of their needs. She is also the shy one who ventures out as little as possible, whose fear restrains her from embracing the world outside her home. In our production, Beth proudly tells Jo that “Marmee calls me her little cricket on the hearth, happiest at home.”

Beth’s dreams do not venture far from home, but they are splendid dreams just the same. To play beautiful music, to be surrounded by her loved ones, to rejoice in their adventures! She also dreams of being brave someday and conquering her fears — a dream we could all benefit having.

In the novel, Louisa May Alcott writes that “There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

Although Beth’s passing leaves a shadow in the March family, our musical version gives her a life beyond the present. Beth guides Jo through the past, urging her to remember the high and low points of her life. In remembering, Jo finds healing. So you see, in our version of Little Women, Beth is not just the one that gets sick. Beth is the one who is a catalyst, who knows when to keep quiet and when to show off her newfound gumption!

Victoria Huston Elem as Jo March and Michaela Koerner as Beth March

I hope you will join us. Our creative team, cast, and crew are extraordinary. If you haven’t seen the show, please stop reading this blog, and buy your tickets now…I’ll see you at the theatre!

- Michaela Koerner

“To find a cricket on the hearth is the luckiest thing of all.” – Charles Dickens