PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 10, 2006
Media Contacts: Jacquelyn Rardin, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
Frank Stilwagner, Director of Marketing
(425) 392-1942 x129
www.villagetheatre.org
rollicking fun times Rock n’ roll into village theatre with Bye Bye Birdie
What: Bye Bye Birdie
Book by Michael Stewart
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Directed and Choreographed by Steve Tomkins
Music Direction by Bruce Monroe
Where: In Issaquah: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
In Everett: Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
When: Issaquah Dates: November 8–December 31, 2006
Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM
Wednesday-Saturday evenings: 8:00 PM
Sundays and selected Saturday matinees: 2:00 PM
Selected Sunday evenings: 7:00 PM
Everett Dates: January 5–21, 2007 – ON SALE: 11/29/06
Wednesday-Saturday evenings: 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday matinees: 2:00 PM
Selected Sunday evenings: 7:00 PM
Tickets: Issaquah:
$25-$49, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett:
$22-$46, Box Office (425) 257-8600 or (888) 257-3722
www.villagetheatre.org
Student & Military Rush: ½ price 30 minutes prior to curtain for any available seat. Group discounts available for groups of ten or more.
Issaquah and Everett, WA – Just in time for the holiday season and perfect for the entire family, Village Theatre is proud to produce Bye Bye Birdie, one of the best-loved musical comedies of all time.
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Page Two…Rollicking Fun Times Rock N’ Roll into Village Theatre with Bye Bye Birdie
Days away from enlisting in the Army, pop idol Conrad Birdie (Dan Connor) is preparing for one last appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show to bid one lucky teenage girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Winner Kim MacAfee (Cara Rudd) and the rest of Sweet Apple, Ohio have their lives turned upside-down by Conrad’s arrival, while his manager, Albert (Jason Collins), juggles publicity pressures, a marriage-minded sweetheart (Rosie played by Stacey Harris), and a meddling mother, who will be played by Seattle stage and film veteran, Laura Kenny (Steel Magnolias, The Music Man, and a regular at Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT, Intiman, and The 5th Avenue Theatre). Lots of laughs, loveable tunes, and a measure of merry nostalgia make this four-time Tony Award-winner a true American classic.
“Bye Bye Birdie is one of the most hilarious musical satires to hit the stage, with humable melodies and songs the whole family can enjoy,” said Robb Hunt, executive producer for Village Theatre. “We’re thrilled to produce this family-friendly gem again [originally on stage at Village Theatre in March 1981] and look forward to making this an extra special holiday season for our patrons.”
“We’re excited to welcome back Laura Kenny, one of our all-time favorite comedic actors,” added Steve Tomkins, artistic director for Village Theatre. “The entire cast is superb and will deliver a fun, one-of-a-kind performance.”
Bye Bye Birdie will be directed and choreographed by Steve Tomkins with music direction by Bruce Monroe. Photos are available for download at. http://www.villagetheatre.org/photos_0607_birdie.shtml. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jacquelyn Rardin at (425) 392-1942 x124 or .
About Village Theatre
Based in Issaquah, WA, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. What began in 1979 as the vision of a small group of dedicated theatre artists has grown into one of the region's best-attended Equity theatres, with over 17,000 subscribers to the current season and 165,000 projected total attendance, performances on seven stages in the Puget Sound area, youth education programs serving over 53,000 young people, families, and schools annually, and a nationally recognized program that has enabled the development of over 55 new musicals. Serving a still-growing, ever more diverse community, Village Theatre is also the resident performing and management company at the Everett Performing Arts Center (since 1998).
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
Village Theatre season sponsors are The Boeing Company and Continental Airlines.
Village Theatre is also funded in part by 4Culture/King County Lodging Tax Revenue, ArtsFund, ArtsUnited, Bellevue Arts Commission, City of Everett, City of Issaquah, Freixenet/Deakin Estates, Issaquah Arts Commission Lombardi's, The National Endowment for the Arts, Northwest Suites, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, PONCHO, The Shubert Foundation, Snohomish County Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, Standing Ovation, and Washington State Arts Commission.
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Page Three…Rollicking Fun Times Rock N’ Roll into Village Theatre with Bye Bye Birdie
Editor’s Notes:
**Detailed Bye Bye Birdie Cast List:
Tessa Archer Ursula
Nicole Boote* Gloria/Ensemble/Rosie Cover
Shannon Campbell Trio
Megan Chenovick Mrs. Merkle
Jason Collins* Albert
Dan Connor Conrad Birdie
Gabe Corey Boy Ensemble
Casey Craig Harvey
Kristin Culp* Dance Captain/Trio
John Deveney Mr. MacAfee
John Farrey Boy Ensemble
Meaghan Foy Trio
Hugh Hastings* Mayor/Mr. MacAfee Cover
Stacey Harris* Rosie
Jeffrey Hitchin Quartet
Jack Jarvis Boy Ensemble
Laura Kenny* Mrs. Peterson
Frances King* Mrs. MacAfee
Brian Lange Quartet
Morgan McFalls Randolph
Ellen McLain* Mayor's Wife/ Mrs. MacAfee Cover
Elizabeth Nestlerode Girl Ensemble
Kasey Nusbickel Debra Sue/ Kim Cover
Sean O'Bannon Quartet/ Albert Cover
Rebecca Orts Alice
Brandon Peterson Boy Ensemble/ Hugo Cover
Justin Ramsey Boy Ensemble
Cara Rudd Kim
John Scott Hugo
Understudies:
TBA Male Swing
TBA Female Swing
Mike Klinge Randolph Standby
Kelly Middleton Girl Ensemble Swing
Connor Russell Boy Ensemble Swing
*The actors are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**Cast subject to change prior to run.