‘Kiss Me Quick’ gets five award nominations
June 2, 2009
Arielle Gordon (center) plays Velda, playing Bonana the Cannibal Queen, in the film-within-a-play in a scene from Liberty’s Patriot Players production of ‘Kiss Me Quick Before the Lava Reaches the Village.’ Aaron Russell (left) and Rebecca Queitzsch play Nebraska town folk cast as extras in the film. Contributed
Liberty High School’s production of “Kiss Me Quick Before the Lava Reaches the Village” received five nominations for this year’s 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards.
The production was nominated in the following categories: outstanding orchestra, outstanding choreography, outstanding lobby display, outstanding performance by a chorus, and outstanding hair and makeup design.
A jury of theater professionals selected nominees. Trophies will be presented to winners at a ceremony with performances from nominated shows.
The awards are 7 p.m. June 8 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $27.50 for adults and $16.50 for students.
Go to www.5thavenue.org or call 206-625-1900
Program makes theater membership affordable
May 19, 2009
As a young professional, it can be hard to savor the finer things in life when your budget is a shoestring, but Village Theatre can help you combat the lack of art in your life with a sweet deal. Read more
10 things to love about ‘Show Boat’
May 19, 2009
Richard Todd Adams (Gaylord Ravenal) and Megan Chenovick (Magnolia Hawks) sing ‘I Have the Room Above Her.’ by Jay Koh/Village Theatre
If you’re in the habit of popping gum or a mint into your mouth at shows at Village Theatre, make sure you’re done with it before Cap’n Andy launches into finishing his play on “Showboat.” Otherwise, you might swallow it.
Larry Albert, who plays Andy, literally had people slapping their legs and howling with laughter as he acted several parts of the play, which gets interrupted by a gunshot from a member of the audience of the play within this delightful musical.
And because it’s hard to review a play without spoiling it for those who still wish to see it, (and those who know the story will likely reach different conclusions than those who don’t) this will instead give you a list, in no certain order, of other things to love about the musical, which runs until July 3:
-The sultry, smoky voice of Cayman Ilika, who plays Julie LaVerne. She can make you feel heartbreak deep in your soul.
-The equally smoky, but even deeper reaching voice of Ekello Harrid Jr., who plays Joe. You’ve never heard “Ol’ Man River” like this before. Read more
Skyline players debut ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
May 12, 2009
Bill Doerrfeld, a senior who plays Jesus in Skyline High School’s production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar: The Last Seven Days in the Life of Jesus of Nazareth,’ is surrounded by cast members as they rehearse a scene from the first act. By Chantelle Lusebrink
If there was ever a rock opera to rock the house, Skyline High School’s “Jesus Christ Superstar: The Last Seven Days in the Life of Jesus of Nazareth” is it.
With colorful costumes created by student Jaymi Matsudaira and a student-created score for the crucifixion scene by Scott Sherman, the production promises to bring down the house this spring.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” was the first full-length rock opera created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and recounts the last week of Jesus’ life.
“It’s exciting,” said Steve Shuken, a junior who plays Judas. “It is something no other high school has done here. And it’s a rock opera, so it’s fun, but it is also thought provoking and emotionally provoking.” Read more
‘Show Boat’ director makes main stage debut
May 5, 2009
‘Show Boat’ Director Jerry Dixon is all smiles in from the balcony of VIllage Theatre, as the river boat set is constructed on the main stage last week. By David Hayes
First thing’s first — Jerry Dixon, director of Village Theatre’s “Show Boat,” is not currently, nor has ever been, the bass guitarist for 1990s hair metal band Warrant.
Dixon said the two have been mistaken enough times in correspondence that he had to put a disclaimer at the top of his Web page.
“We get each other’s e-mail all the time. I’ve even had to return some very large royalty checks to him,” Dixon said.
He said it’s funny until he has to clear up the mistaken identities with the Internal Revenue Service.
Besides appearances, the other obvious difference between the two is heavy metal Dixon has probably never been to Issaquah, while theater Dixon has. Read more
ArtWalk returns with expanded stops
April 28, 2009
Mae McMullin admires artwork near a glass piece by artist Lenoard Whitfield inside Art By Fire, one of the many stops along the DownTown Issaquah Association’s ArtWalk. By David Hayes
The eighth annual ArtWalk returns May 1 and the event that started with seven locations for people to view art and artists has grown to at least 25, with possibly more additions to come.
There’s also the award. Read more
Drama fever hits the stage
April 13, 2009
Contributed
Issaquah and Liberty high schools are staging two great comedic productions — “Come Blow Your Horn” and “Kiss Me Quick Before the Lava Reaches the Village” — starting this week.
Issaquah High School Drama Club
‘Come Blow Your Horn’
7:30 p.m. April 15, 16 and 17
2:30 p.m. April 17
Skyline High School theatre
1122 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish
$7 for adults and seniors; $5 for students with valid identification and children under 11
When two Jewish brothers shed their family duties and meek demeanors to assert themselves as men about New York City in the ’60s, hearts are broken and hilarity ensues. Read more
Village Theatre announces its 30th anniversary season
April 13, 2009
Village Theatre announced its 2009-10 Mainstage schedule, its 30th anniversary season. It boasts a collection of shows never before produced for the Village Theatre Mainstage.
Village Theatre veteran readies musical for Broadway
April 6, 2009
Brian Yorkey discusses his Broadway project ‘Next to Normal’ debuting April 15. By Greg Farrar
While growing up, Brian Yorkey dreamed of going to Broadway to appear on one of the world’s largest stages in front of more than 1,000 people.
At Village Theatre in Issaquah, he was a long way away.
But his dreams will be realized this spring, as his musical, “Next to Normal,” heads to Broadway April 15 at the Longacre Theatre.
“I hate to admit it’s a dream I had when I was 12, but it’s true,” he said. “Words can’t describe it, ironically, even though words are my job.”
The achievement comes after 10 years of work on the musical for Yorkey and co-writer Tom Kitt. Yorkey wrote the script and lyrics; Kitt composed the music.
Though they took breaks over the long period of time to work on other shows, the two always came back together to collaborate on their shared brainchild.
“The crux of the show is really about Brian and I and our friendship,” Kitt said.
The two met while attending Columbia University in New York City. They began work on “Next to Normal” as an assignment for a Broadcast Music Inc. workshop. Read more
‘Stunt Girl’ is great fun — that’s the headline!
March 23, 2009
If you think you’ve seen the best musical Village Theatre has to offer, you better think again. Read more
