Download PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 14

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 14, 2006
Media Contacts: Jacquelyn Rardin, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
[email protected]
Frank Stilwagner, Director of Marketing
(425) 392-1942 x129
[email protected]
www.villagetheatre.org
VILLAGE THEATRE KIDSTAGE
SUMMER REP INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION PRESENTS
PIPPIN
17 Local Student Actors and Musicians to Perform Classic Story
What:
Pippin
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Originally Produced on the Broadway Stage by Stuart Ostrow
Directed on the Broadway Stage by Bob Fosse
Directed by Zane Johnston
Choreographed by Julia Harig
Musical Direction by Tyler Johnson
Where:
First Stage Theatre
120 Front Street North,
Issaquah, WA 98027
When:
July 21-30, 2006
Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 PM
Sunday at 2:00 PM
Tickets:
$10-$12
Box Office: (425) 392-2202 or
www.villagetheatre.org
Issaquah, WA — Village Theatre is proud to present Pippin, a KIDSTAGE Summer Rep
Independent Production. The KIDSTAGE Summer Rep Independent Production is the pinnacle
of the KIDSTAGE program. It is produced, designed, and directed entirely by young artists under
the age of 20. Professional mentorship is provided by Village Theatre artists and staff.
-more-
Page Two…Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Summer Rep Presents Pippin
“KIDSTAGE Summer Rep represents the best of the best from our program,” said Suzie
C. Bixler, Issaquah’s KIDSTAGE programs manager for Village Theatre. “Under the supervision
of professional theatre staff, each student has moved through our extensive theatre training
program to learn what it takes to produce, direct, stage, and act in a full-length musical
production. We’re so proud to have our students showcase their talent and passion for theatre in
this spirited production of Pippin.”
Taking a modern look at a classic story, Pippin features a cast comprised entirely of
students age 12 to 20 as a present day theatre troupe that tells a tongue-in-cheek story about
Pippin, (played by Justin Dial, age 16), the son of the 8th-Century King Charlemagne. On his
quest to find his true calling in life and complete fulfillment, Pippin tries war, love, politics, and
other pursuits before settling down. The energetic pop-influenced score by Stephen Schwartz
(Godspell, Wicked) bursts with show stopping numbers, from soaring ballads to infectious dance
grooves, all performed by 17 local student actors and musicians.
Directed by a Zane Johnston (age 19, a nine year veteran of KIDSTAGE), Pippin springs
to life with choreography by Julia Harig (age 20, a past KIDSTAGE performer); musical
direction by Tyler Johnson (age 19, an eight year veteran of KIDSTAGE); production
management is run by Nicole Mead (age 18, a five year veteran of KIDSTAGE and a teaching
assistant); stage management is done by Kenny Brill (age 19, new to KIDSATGE); set design by
Ben Cote (age 18, a three year veteran of KIDSTAGE and past SummerStock tech program
student who also worked crew on Village Theatre’s Mainstage production of South Pacific);
lighting design by Joey Bennett (age 17, a two year veteran of KIDSTAGE and past
SummerStock tech program student); and costume design by Kati Dawson (age 19, a past
SummerStock tech program student). See detailed cast list below.
Pippin will open at First Stage Theatre, July 21-30, 2006. For more information or to request
interviews, please contact Jacquelyn Rardin at (425) 392-1942 x124 or at [email protected].
Photos will be available for download in early July.
-more-
Page Three…Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Summer Rep Presents Pippin
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 & Roger Giesecke.
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Editor’s Notes
*Detailed Pippin Cast List:
Pippin……………………… Justin Dial, age 16
Charlemagne………………. Casey Oliver, age 16
Lewis………………………..Hiroki Murakami, age 15
Fastrada……………………. Brendy Stevens, age 19
Head……………………….. James Doocy, age 18
Berthe……………………….Nina R. Zendejas, age 18
Catherine……………………Sarah Davis, age 17
Theo…………………………Sawyer Mittelstaedt, age 12
Leading Player………………Justin Huertas, age 19
Players: Christina Masson, age 18; Tamara Thurston, age 20; Joel Davis, age 18; Jack Jarvis, age
16; Justin Reeves, age 19; Meghan McDevitt, age 18; Alexis Clarke, age 16; and Stephanie
Miller, age 15.
*Cast subject to change prior to run.