PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 13, 2006
Media Contacts: Jacquelyn Rardin, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
Frank Stilwagner, Director of Marketing
(425) 392-1942 x129
www.villagetheatre.org
Village Theatre’s NEWLY FORMED KIDSTAGE teenselect issaquah PRESENTS Seussical™
What: Seussical
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
Directed by Kat Ramsburg
Choreographed by Shanna Palmer
Musical Direction by R.J. Tancioco
Where: First Stage Theatre
120 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
When: January 5-14, 2007
Fridays and Saturdays: 7:30 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Tickets: $8-$10
Box Office: (425) 392-2202 or
www.villagetheatre.org
Issaquah, Wash. — Oh, the people you will see and the things you will do! Join us for a madcap romp with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE TeenSelect debut winter production of Seussical, where anything and everything is possible. From the same writing team behind Ragtime, the cherished Dr. Seuss books have been turned into a fantastical and magical musical extravaganza, featuring memorable Seuss characters, including the Cat in the Hat (Alton Lind), Horton the Elephant (Robert Guerrero), Gertrude McFuzz (Caitlin Kinnunen), Lazy Mayzie (Stephanie Miller), and all of the Whos of Whoville! Let your imagination run wild as you experience a toe-tapping cornucopia of musical styles, ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk. A treat for the whole family!
Featuring 28 advanced young actors in eighth through 12th grade, the KIDSTAGE TeenSelect Seussical production is a full-scale musical that includes simple, but professionally-designed sets, costumes, lights, and sound. After successfully auditioning, actors are directed and choreographed by theatre professionals.
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Page Two… Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE TeenSelect Issaquah Presents Seussical
Guiding the musical is director Kat Ramsburg who is currently the artistic and casting associate at The 5th Avenue Theatre and manager of its education programs. Musical direction is by KIDSTAGE veteran and local vocal coach, teacher, composer, and arranger R.J. Tancioco. Seussical marks the KIDSTAGE choreographic debut of Shanna Palmer, recently seen in EVITA, Hello, Dolly! and CATS. Scenic design is by Scott Fyfe, costume design is by Betsy Stam and lighting design is by Richard Schaefer.
Seussical marks the first KIDSTAGE TeenSelect production in Issaquah. “We had over 150 kids audition for our summer productions this year, so I felt adding a new performance opportunity for this age-group was essential,” said Suzie Bixler, KIDSTAGE programs manager.
For more information, please contact Jacquelyn Rardin at (425) 392-1942 x124 or at . Photos are available for download at http://www.villagetheatre.org/photos_ks-suess-07.shtml.
About Village Theatre KIDSTAGE:
Designed to encourage teamwork, personal integrity, self-esteem and a life-long appreciation for live theatre,
KIDSTAGE is a year-round performing arts training program in Issaquah, Everett and Stanwood for young people ages 3-20. KIDSTAGE students participate in classes, workshops and full-scale KIDSTAGE productions. All performances are by KIDSTAGE students and classes are taught by professional theatrical instructors.
About Village Theatre
Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. What began in 1979 with the vision of a small group of dedicated theatre artists has grown into one of the region's best-attended resident theatres, with over 16,500 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 has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years with the start of our contract as the resident performing and management company at the Everett Performing Arts Center in 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
KIDSTAGE is made possible, in part, by ArtsUnited, Citigroup Private Bank, City of Everett, City of Issaquah, Clear Image, Fluke Inc, Kobe Foundation, Snohomish County, The Everett Clinic Foundation, Target, and US Bancorp. Special Thanks to Individual Sustaining Supporters: Ruth Waters, Mary Pigott, and Roger Giesecke.
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Editor’s Notes:
**Detailed Suessical Cast List (in alphabetical order):
General Schmitz Travis Britt, 18
Mr. Mayor Anthony DeLeon, 13
Grinch Matt Glazener, 14
Horton Robert Guerrero, 17
Vlad/Yertle Ross Johnson, 14
JoJo Mike Klinge, 11
Wickersham Matthew Lang, 17
Cat Alton Lind, 16
Mayzie Stephanie Miller, 16
Max/JoJo u/s Kenta Murakami, 13
Bird Girl Ashley Nelson, 17
Bird Girl Heather Nobis, 17
Bird Girl Madie Polyak, 11
Sour Kangaroo Emili Scherrer, 12
Wickersham Eion Sharkey, 17
Gertrude Caitlin Kinnunen, 14
Wickersham Nick Thull, 18
Mrs. Mayor Sarah Uptagrafft, 14
Bird Girl Elizabeth Waltzer, 18
Ensemble: Julia Bicknell (15), Sarah Fairchild (14), Mackenzie Giles (13), Emily Johnson (13), Rachael McLachlan (16), Kendyl Morris (12), Cassandra Smith (12), Jackie Stone (14), Amira Walker (14).
*cast subject to change prior to run.