Local Entertainment

Issaquah, WA – This holiday season, Village Theatre is set to produce an all-new musical production of Anne of Green Gables, based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s treasured, best-selling novel of the same title. This production will have one preview performance in Issaquah on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, and will officially open the following day, running November 11, 2010-January 2, 2011 in downtown Issaquah at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre , and January 7-30, 2011 in downtown Everett, at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
 
Anne of Green Gables was first seen by Village Originals audiences as a reading in the 2009 Festival of New Musicals, then directed by Vanessa Miller. The show received wild acclaim from Festival goers—one person called the show “very emotional and compelling” while another stated that the show was “full of life, honesty, humor, perseverance, hope, joy, and family.” Artistic director Steve Tomkins was so taken with the show—it wasn’t long before it was announced that Anne of Green Gables would be part of the 2010-2011 Mainstage Season.
 
Miller and Tomkins have joined forces as co-directors, and over the course of the year following the season announcement, they’ve worked tirelessly with the show’s authors, Janet Vogt Yates and Mark Friedman, to further develop Anne of Green Gables. “The authors, Vanessa, and I, are very excited about the changes that have been made to this piece since it was first seen by Village Originals audiences,” Tomkins commented. “Janet and Mark are remarkable writers and it’s wonderful to find that we are all on the same page when it comes to determining what it would take to make this an even more incredible show.” Much like any new work at Village Theatre, many subtractions and additions have been made to the show throughout the rehearsal process, and changes will continue to unfold, potentially until opening night.
 
Village Theatre’s production of this classic story will be unlike anything you have seen before. Co-choreographers Steve Tomkins—well-known for his ability to impeccably stage large dance numbers—and Kristin Culp (dance captain) have devised a staging that uses movement to not only entertain, but to translate the progression of time—and quite a bit of time in this piece. “When the students are young, the choreography is energetic and athletic—our goal is for it to look playful,” explains Culp. “The younger dances reflect playful rivalries between boys and girls and establish individual characters. As the students age, their posture becomes better and the dances take on a polished look. Instead of rivalry, we establish camaraderie and see boys and girls dance together in a waltz.”
 
Village Theatre’s production of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is co-directed by Steve Tomkins and Vanessa Miller, with co-choreography by Steve Tomkins and Kristin Culp (42nd Street, Meet Me in St. Louis), scenic design by Scott Fyfe (Chasing Nicolette, Stunt Girl); lighting design by Aaron Copp (42nd Street, Meet Me In St. Louis); costume design by Deane Middleton (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast); and sound design by Gino Scarpino.
 
Pre-production photos will be available at http://www.villagetheatre.org/gate/press_photos.php after October 28, 2010. For more information or to schedule individual interviews, please contact Michelle Sanders at (425) 392-1942 x124 or msanders@villagetheatre.org.
 
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Synopsis:
Captivating readers for over a century, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s treasured, best-selling novel is transformed into this charming new musical. When the Cuthbert's expect to adopt a boy, imagine their surprise when a talkative and clever young girl steps off the train in Avonlea. Witness Anne's transformation from a playful young girl to a confident young woman as she finds her way into the hearts of everyone she meets—despite a knack for getting into trouble! Set to an unforgettably beautiful score, this is an enduring story for all ages.
 
What:                   Anne of Green Gables
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman
 
Where:                In Issaquah: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
                              
In Everett: Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
 
When:                  Issaquah Dates: November 10, 2010 – January 2, 2011– ON SALE NOW
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM
**Select weekday matinee performances available during the last weeks of December 2010.
                                                              
Everett Dates: January 7 – 30, 2011– ON SALE: 12/1/10
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM
 
Tickets:                Issaquah:
$20-$60, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett:
$19-$54, Box Office (425) 257-8600 or (888) 257-3722
www.villagetheatre.org
Student & Military Rush: ½ price 30 minutes prior to curtain for any available seat. Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more.
 
 
About Village Theatre
Based in Issaquah, WA, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining quality productions for the entire family since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the region's best-attended Equity theatres, with over 18,000 Subscribers and 182,000 projected total attendance each season. Through its Village Originals program, Village Theatre is nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals, having launched over 90 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its youth education programs, Pied Piper and KIDSTAGE, serving over 54,000 young people, families, and schools annually.