Download KS-Jersey_9-08

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 11, 2008
Media Contact: Michelle Sanders, Public Relations Manager
(425) 392-1942 x124
[email protected]
www.villagetheatre.org
VILLAGE THEATRE KIDSTAGE TEENSELECT TAKES
ON THE HILARIOUS NEW MUSICAL FARCE,
ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY
What:
Once Upon a Time in New Jersey
Music by Stephen Weiner
Book and Lyrics by Susan DiLallo
Directed by Jessica Low
Choreographed by Mo Brady
Musical Direction by Christian Duhamel
Where:
Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
When:
September 26-October 5, 2008
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
Tickets:
$9-$11 – ON SALE NOW
Box Office: (425) 257-8600 or
www.villagetheatre.org
Everett, Wash. — Village Theatre KIDSTAGE TeenSelect produces Once Upon a Time in New
Jersey, running September 26-October 5, 2008 at the Everett Performing Arts Center. This
production tells the story of an ordinary deli...not your ordinary hero! Sandwich slinger Vinnie
loves counter girl Angie. Angie loves tough guy Rocco. Rocco's on the run from the mob. When
Vinnie agrees to swap lives with Rocco for a week, he gets a chance at Angie...and much more
than he bargained for. Swing back to 1956 New Jersey and the days of doo-wop and Italian
crooners in this rollicking and romantic, funny and tuneful new musical from award-winning
authors, Weiner and DiLallo. Mistaken identities make for madcap fun, only in "Joisey!"
The west coast premiere of Once Upon a Time in New Jersey ran during Village
Theatre’s 2006-2007 Mainstage Season, and KIDSTAGE will be the third theatre
company in America to produce this show. Full of Italian-American bravado and 1950s
style with an over-the-top fairytale twist, Jersey proves to be an exciting and somewhat
unique challenge for KIDSTAGE actors. Director Jessica Low comments, “They have to
be so huge in their acting choices in order for the show to play the way it is supposed to.
As an artistic team we have tried to give them as much research as possible about the
style of show and the world in which these characters are living.” Musical direction for
KIDSTAGE’s production of Once Upon a Time in New Jersey comes from one of the
original leads from the Mainstage production, Christian Duhamel.
“Stepping off stage and into the orchestra pit has been a welcomed challenge. As
musical director, I play servant to many masters: I'm responsible for protecting the
composer and lyricist’s creations, for understanding the director's vision and using music
to fulfill that vision, and for collaborating with the choreographer to have music and
movement marry harmoniously. My familiarity with the show has helped me make quick
and educated musical choices.” In addition to his familiarity with the music, Duhamel’s
work as Vinnie in the Mainstage production has allowed him to expertly help the young
actors grasp who these characters really are. “Because of my previous experience with
the show, I've been able to guide the actors toward character clues that might be
overlooked and to offer ideas for emotions and tactics that did and didn't seem to work in
the Mainstage production. But through it all, I've tried to let our actors find their own
spirit within the characters.” Duhamel explains.
The KIDSTAGE production of Once Upon a Time in New Jersey boasts a slightly larger
ensemble than the Mainstage production, featuring 21 total actors, grades 8 to 12. This
production is a full scale musical that includes simple yet professionally designed sets, costumes,
lights, and sound.
For more information, please contact Michelle Sanders at (425) 392-1942 x124 or at
[email protected]. The performances on September 27 and 28 will be Sign Language
Interpreted. Photos will be available on the Village Theatre website after September 14, 2008.
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 and Everett 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 16,000 subscribers to the current season and 165,000 projected total attendance, 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 80 new musicals. Serving an expanding and 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 City of Issaquah, Everett Cultural Commission, Fluke, Kobe
Foundation, Snohomish County Tourism, Tulalip Tribes, US Bancorp, and Washington State Arts
Commission.
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