ISSAQUAH AUGUST 8-10, 2025
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
FESTIVAL SURVEYS
Will you please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the Festival in these brief surveys?
Let the writers know your favorite songs, characters, and scenes, and share your experiences of seeing the festival. Your input may very well shape the musicals’ future lives. Thank you!
The company of Lewis Loves Clark. Photos by Ivy Green (2025).
LEWIS LOVES CLARK
Book and lyrics by Mike Ross
Music by Dylan MarcAurele
Directed by Adam Immerwahr
Music Directed by Nathan Young
FRIDAY, AUG 8, 7:30 p.m.
Lewis Loves Clark is a funny, fast-paced epic about the famous Corps of Discovery expedition. Combining bluegrass, folk, and pop, this tragicomedy follows Meriwether Lewis (a depressed closeted alcoholic), William Clark (just breathtakingly oblivious), Sacagawea (permanently exasperated), and York (would rather be birdwatching) as they grapple with the not-so-great unknown. There is also a cute stuffed dog.
CAST
Ethan Carpenter (William Clark), Charlie Johnson (Meriwether Lewis), Mackenzie Neusiok (Sacagawea), T.J. Newton (Ten Bears/Cameahwait), Matt Posner (Thomas Jefferson/Carbonneau), Gerald Germajesty Price (York), and ensemble members Miranda Antoinette, Rachel Nellie, Evan Ponyah, and Jason Weitkamp
Lewis Loves Clark was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals in 2024. www.namt.org. Developed in part at the Barn on Fire Residency, a program of New York Theatre Barn and the Fire Island Pines Art Project.
DEAR MR. C
Book, Music, and Additional Lyrics by Tidtaya Sinutoke
Lyrics by Lily Ali-Oshatz and Naomi Matlow
Directed by Keng S. Meateanuwat
Music Directed by R.J. Tancioco
SATURDAY, AUG 9, 2:00 p.m
Dear Mr. C is an intimate, verbatim, indie-pop memoir with a hint of traditional Thai lullaby that tells the story of a Thai writer who’s trying to find peace after one phone call from Thailand turns her world upside-down.
CAST
Alegra Batara (The Writer) and ensemble members Candice Song Donehoo, Diana Huey, and Danny Kam
Jet City Improv presents: An Improvised Musical!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 5:00 p.m.
SOLD OUT! CALL THE BOX OFFICE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST.
You bring the title—we bring the show. With Broadway in our hearts and chaos in our hands, the cast creates a fully improvised musical right before your eyes. No script. No plan. Every word, step, and note is made up on the spot—raw, fearless, and on fire.
From show-stopping numbers to wild twists, this is musical theater like you’ve never seen before.
Featuring the We Have Some Notes Ensemble
The Goree All-Girl String Band
Book and Lyrics by Jenny Stafford
Music and Lyrics by Artie Sievers
Story by Ashley Monroe, Artie Sievers, and Jenny Stafford
Directed by Ashley Brooke Monroe
Music Directed by Elisa Money
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 8:00 p.m.
The year is 1938, and The Goree All-Girl String Band is the biggest new radio sensation in Texas. They also happen to be convicted criminals. The six band members teach themselves music from behind bars and earn a slot on a prison-based radio program. Through sisterhood, determination, and a little bit of luck, these women work (and play) together to fiddle their way to freedom. Inspired by a true story, The Goree All-Girl String Band is a tale of redemption with echoes of modern-day questions about women’s prisons.
CAST
Andi Alhadeff (Burma), Anne Allgood (Mrs. Heath), Anabel Chacon (Ruby Mae), Harter Clingman (Nelson), Sarah Rose Davis (Reable), Eric Polani Jensen (Captain Heath), Cassi Q Kohl (Mozelle), Hannah Schuerman (Bonnie), Jasmine Jean Sim (Jerry Lee), and Jeffery Wallace (Paul)
LEGENDALE
Music by Andrea Daly
Book & Lyrics by Jeff Bienstock
Story by Bienstock and Daly
Directed by Kathryn Van Meter
Music Directed by David Taylor Gomes
SUNDAY, AUG 10, 2:00 p.m.
Andy only feels alive when he’s online playing “Legendale,” the most epic role-playing video game of the 2010’s. After a series of misfortunes pushes him to the edge of despair, an unassuming milkmaid offers him a road to rediscovering his inner warrior. Legendale explores adventure, romance, and the power of fantasy, in a musical comedy that reminds us how to feel alive. Spunky, funny, and full of heart, Legendale is for grown ups (and aspiring grown-ups), and anybody who wants to remember that between the grind of work and stress of life, we all deserve a little ‘play.’
CAST
Drew Bates (Fanboy and others), Christopher Clark (Steve, Tarragon, and others), Lucas Delamarter (Newbie and others), Nick DeSantis (Paul Jansen, Alchemist, and others), Ays Garcia (Beth), Alexander Kilian (Andy Kaniff), Andrew Knickerbocker (Sir Sarcasm and others), Ellen McLain (Voiceover), and Lauren Paris (Zelayna/Cow Maiden)
Legendale was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals in 2015.
Developed at and American premiere produced by The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton, Ohio.
Once again, for the second year, admission to the readings of our Festival of New Musicals will be free and open to the public.
Just because it is free to attend doesn’t mean it is free for us to produce. Your contribution to Village Originals is an investment in the future of musical theater. As a supporter, you’ll gain access to a host of private panel discussions and exclusive, behind-the-scenes events with our artists—many of whom are on the forefront of new musical theater.
Learn more about supporting the festival at VillageTheatre.org/New-works/Support
(425) 392-2202
boxoffice@villagetheatre.org
Box Office Hours
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Everett Performing Arts Center box office is closed daily for lunch from 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
