The Eighth Annual Festival of New Musicals, August 14-17, 2008 |
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Six New Musicals,
Five Parties!
Four Days!
For Members Only. Don't Miss Out — Become A Member Today! For more information, call the Box Office at
(425) 392-2202, or visit our Village Originals Membership page.
* * * Venue Change * * *
Due to high demand, all readings and events will take place at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, unless otherwise listed.
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Over the years, the Annual Festival of New Musicals has become a jumping off point for some of Village Theatre's most popular new works. Both of the new works in the upcoming 2008-2009 Season, Saint Heaven and Stunt Girl, debuted in previous festivals. Additionally, the 2007-2008 Mainstage season boasted two audience favorites, Million Dollar Quartet and Little Women, both of which debuted at the 2006 Festival of New Musicals.
Many Village Original workshops and developmental productions begin at the Festival. Recently, Village Originals produced such crowd pleasers as Iron Curtain and The Last Starfighter in the form of workshops. Both of these productions began in the Festival of New Musical; Iron Curtain at the 2007 Festival and The Last Starfighter at the 2006 Festival. Our Annual Festival has become the first look at tomorrow's freshest and most exciting new musicals.
Schedule and shows are subject to change.
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Download and read First Stages, the official newsletter for Village Originals. This issue highlights the Festival of New Musical (550KB PDF).
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Basic Information |
* * * Venue Change * * *
Due to high demand, all readings and events will take place at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, (instead of First Stage Theatre) unless otherwise listed.
Badges
Every Village Originals member receives the appropriate number of badges for their membership level upon arrival. The badges serve as your pass into each show. Simply show your badge to the usher, get your sticker for the show, and take a seat.
Seating
Seating is general admission. Members receive priority seating and may enter as early as 30 minutes before curtain. Seats will be reserved for Circle Level members; if the house is full, these seats will be released to other audience members 5 minutes before curtain. Artists and staff members may sign up on the waiting list and will be admitted 10 minutes before curtain.
Surveys
After each show, please take the opportunity to fill out the surveys included in your packet. Individual surveys are also available at each show or online (surveys will be activated and posted below just prior to the Festival). You can tell the writers your favorite songs, characters, and scenes, offer feedback on what works and what doesn't, and maybe even see your ideas come to life. Once you're done, turn the survey in after the show in the theatre, or mail it to us at 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA 98027.
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Thursday, August 14, 2008 |
6:00–7:15 PM: Opening Reception
Featuring musical previews from each show.
in the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre Lobby, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah
7:30 PM: Chasing Nicolette
Book and Lyrics by Peter Kellogg
Music by David Friedman
Chasing Nicolette is a light-hearted new musical based on the medieval French romantic epic Aucassin and Nicolette. In the year 1224, Aucassin, a young French lord, and Nicolette, a slave girl who is the long-lost Carthaginian princess, fall in love, despite the vast difference in their cultural and social statuses. Aucassin's father discovers their relationship and angrily separates the pair, who must overcome the odds to be reunited, facing a bloodthirsty count, a clueless suitor, and some gender mix-ups along the way. Follow resourceful Nicolette and romantic Aucassin through their touching, hilarious, and sometimes farcical adventures in their pursuit of true love.
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Friday, August 15, 2008 |
7:30 PM: Killala Bay
Book and Lyrics by Chris Burgess
Music by Denise Wright
Based on the novel Death and Plenty by Brian Leyden
A newcomer to Ennismuck, a small town on the shores of Killala Bay in Ireland, American Grace O'Connor is searching for her roots in the town of her ancestors. She is surprised when she also finds friendship, love, and a home as she joins Mulcahy, a local artist, and the townspeople in exposing the corruption of a local mining company and rallies her new friends to take control of their town under the nose of the greedy mayor. Although her relationship with Mulcahy is volatile, Grace's passion may be enough to heal his cynicism. This is a touching story of one woman's search for where she belongs.
10:00 PM: Meet the Members Party
in the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre Lobby, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah
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Saturday, August 16, 2008 |
2:00 PM: Dennis The Menace
Book by Ernie Chambers
Lyrics by Kevin Murphy
Music by David Manning and Nathan Wang
The boy you've known for years as a comic character comes to life in this vibrant and heartwarming new musical! The story begins when the Mitchell family, including their rambunctious, blonde-haired, overall-wearing son Dennis, moves from the city to a small, quiet town—and things certainly don't stay quiet for long. Next-door neighbor George Wilson, a retired mailman, doesn't take too kindly to the excitable boy and his constant antics. Will he ever be able to get along with Dennis? A fun and lively score accompanies this musical the whole family will enjoy!
7:30 PM: The Alchemists
Book by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel
Music and Lyrics by Peter Mills
In early 19th century England, childhood friends Stanley, Nicholas, Nathanial, Marcus, and Anne parted ways as they became adults. When Stanley and Anne announce their engagement, the four young men must confront their past and the tangled relationships among themselves and Anne, the woman who has been their muse, friend, sister, and beloved. In a time where none of them can admit what they truly desire, they must discover their own strengths as they carve out their places in the world and with each other.
10:00 PM: Meet The Artists Party
at Executive Producer Robb Hunt's home
Circle Level Members and Artists Only
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Sunday, August 17, 2008 |
2:00 PM: The Gypsy King
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Randy Rogel
Conceived and Created by Kirby Ward and Randy Rogel
Leo and Frederick, a father-son acting duo, are seriously down on their luck, and Frederick wishes only for a place to belong. But when he falls for a princess disguised as a peasant girl, and is then captured by the royal guard, Frederick very quickly gets a lot more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, the prince Alfonse, who bears a curious resemblance to Frederick, hears of an assassination plot against him. Alfonse's scheming right-hand-man, Sergei, suggests the prisoner Frederick take the prince's dangerous position—and with Frederick at the helm, chaos ensues for all. Make sure to catch this musical full of fast-paced action and over-the-top hilarity!
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5:00 PM: Circle Level Members Party
at Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian
695 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah
Circle Level Members Only
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7:30 PM: The Yellow Wood
Book by Michelle Elliott
Lyrics by Michelle Elliott and Danny Larsen
Music by Danny Larsen
The Yellow Wood gives us a glimpse into the world of Adam Davies, a high-school student with Attention Deficit Disorder who desires nothing more than to lead a "normal" life. Faced with the constant pressure of friends, parents, a persistently present sister, and the need to memorize a poem by seventh period, Adam refuses to take his medication, believing that he must be able to go without it in order to fit in. This dynamic musical is layered with the undercurrent of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken," we follow Adam's journey as he strives to understand the poem and, ultimately, his own identity.
9:30 PM: Closing Night Party
at Fins Bistro, located next to Francis J. Gaudette Theatre,
301 Front Street North, Issaquah
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