Ankrim, Lowrie, Strohmaier, Ilika et al. Announced for Village Theatre's THE GYSPY KING

Village Theatres is thrilled to announce casting for their upcoming World Premiere production of Emmy Award-winner Randy Rogel's (author) musical, THE GYPSY KING. This production will have one preview performance in Issaquah on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, and will officially open the following evening, running March 8-April 25, 2010 in downtown Issaquah, April 30-May 23, 2010 in downtown Everett.

After flying high as Peter Pan at Seattle Children's Theatre, Eric Ankrim is now at Village Theatre, set to take on a truly leading role. Ankrim takes the reins in THE GYPSY KING while playing a dual lead role as both the devilish Prince Alphonse and a poor gypsy named Frederick who bears a curious resemblance to this arrogant Prince. Ankrim has been with this show since Village Theatre's new works Festival reading in 2008, and again for the developmental production in 2009. His past Village Theatre credits include Girl of My Dreams, The Secret Garden, and Annie. Other Seattle credits include Miss Saigon, Into The Woods, and Rocky Horror Show at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Rejoice! and Time of Your Life at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Director Richard Gray comments, "Eric Ankrim has proven the ideal leading man. He has taken on the dual roles of Frederick and Prince Alphonse in such a way that I can't imagine the piece without thinking of his portrayal. This will be a performance the Village Theatre audience will talk about for years to come."

Additional cast members include John Patrick Lowrie (Village Theatre: Meet Me in St. Louis, Stunt Girl) as Leo; Katherine Strohmaier (Village Originals: Robin Hood...; The 5th Avenue Theatre: Singin' in the Rain) as Anisette; Cayman Ilika (Village Theatre: Show Boat; ACT: Always...Patsy Cline) as Anastasia, Nick DeSantis (Village Theatre: Chasing Nicolette and Beauty and the Beast; 5th Avenue Theatre: Sunday in the Park with George) as Godfried; Jose J. Gonzales (Village Originals: The Cuban and the Redhead; Intiman: Streetcar Named Desire) as Prince Dijon. A complete cast listing can be found on the Village Theatre website.

Village Theatre's production of THE GYPSY KING is written by Randy Rogel; directed by Richard Gray; choreographed by Kathryn Van meter (Village Theatre: The King and I; The Who's TOMMY); scenic design by Jeffrey Cook (5th Avenue: ...Forum; Smokey Joe's Cafe); music directed by R.J. Tancioco (Village Theatre: Stunt Girl, EVITA); orchestrations by Bruce Monroe (Village Theatre: Stunt Girl; Girl of My Dreams); lighting design by Alex Berry (Village Theatre: Disney's Beauty and the Beast); and costume design by Karen Ledger (Village Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest). Pre-production photos will be available online after March 4, 2010. For more information or to schedule individual interviews, please contact Michelle Sanders, Communications Manager at (425) 392-1942 x124 or msanders@villagetheatre.org.

THE GYPSY KING Synopsis:
World Premiering on the Village Theatre Mainstage and written by Emmy-award winner Randy Rogel comes over-the-top hilarity in the new musical The Gypsy King. Leo and Frederick are a father-son acting duo whose unfortunate run-in with the royal guard causes quite the royal ruckus. Bearing a curious resemblance to the arrogant Prince Alfonse, Frederick finds himself in a dangerous position. Laugh riotously as you follow his adventures into the middle of an assassination plot that takes him through a maze of castle doors, to the bottom of a moat, and beyond. With a classic vaudeville feel, this new musical romp will cause quite a stir with its fast-paced comedic action.

What: The Gypsy King
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Randy Rogel
Conceived and Created by Kirby Ward and Randy Rogel

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: March 17-April 25, 2010 - ON SALE NOW
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Sundays and selected Saturdays: 2:00 PM
Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

Everett Dates: April 30-May 23, 2010 - ON SALE: 3/24/2010
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

Tickets: Issaquah:
$19-$59, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett:
$17-$52, 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 85 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.

Village Theatre season sponsors are Continental Airlines, Microsoft, and Lombardi's

Village Theatre is also funded in part by 4Culture, ArtsFund, ArtsUnited, Axonus, City of Everett, City of Issaquah /Issaquah Arts Commission, Continental Airlines, Encore Arts Program, The Herald, Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter, KING5.com, Larkspur Landing, Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Microsoft, National Endowment for the Arts, Overlake Hospital and Medical Center, Port Blakely Communities/Issaquah Highlands, Rowley Properties, and Washington State Arts Commission. Village Theatre is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Theatre Puget Sound.

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