Photo Flash: Bainbridge Performing Arts Presents RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET

Blast off on a routine flight and crash into the planet D'Illyria where a sci fi version of "The Tempest" set to rock 'n' roll golden oldies unfolds with glee. The planet is inhabited by a sinister scientist, Dr. Prospero; his delightful daughter Miranda; Ariel, a faithful robot; and an uncontrollable monster, the product of Prospero's Id, who wreaks havoc on the space craft. This Atomic-Age romp includes classics like Born to be Wild, Wipeout, Good Vibrations, Great Balls of Fire, and The Monster Mash.

Director Ryan Patrick O'Donnell's first directing turn at BPA was as assistant director to Ken Michels for Peter and the Starcatcher. Musical Director Trina Williamson Jackson has acted, music directed, and directed at a variety of theatres here and in Seattle over the past 30 years. Choreographer Heather Dawson is familiar to BPA audiences for her choreography of BPA's Big Fish, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, and BPA Theatre School's Seussical.

Together, the artistic trio leads an enticing cast featuring mostly newcomers to BPA's stage, plus a few returning favorites, with Bob Reed as CAPTAIN TEMPEST, Megan Twamley as MIRANDA, Nelsen Spickard as DOCTOR PROSPERO, Helene Minassian as ARIEL THE ROBOT, Michelle Hensel as SCIENCE OFFICER, Matt Howe as COOKIE, Meghan Newton as BOSUN ARRAS, Jennifer Pippin-Montanez as NAVIGATION OFFICER, Jennifer Carrillo as DEE TERGENT, Kevin Tanner as ANDY SCEPTIC, Alexis Rodriguez as CUTIE CULL, and Brian Danzig as NEWSREADER.

Thrilled to be directing BPA's season opener, Ryan says, "We'll journey to a galaxy far, far away on a classic rock adventure in space, the final frontier, to battle the monsters outside the pod bay doors and those lurking inside the mind of a man, whose lovestruck daughter and faithful robot have fake-speare close encounters with a crew of starship troopers as they blast off to infinity and beyond!"

Join BPA for Shakespeare's forgotten rock 'n' roll masterpiece October 12 - 28, with evening shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. The run includes a Pay-What-You-Can Preview on Thursday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m., and the Opening Night Reception is Friday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m.Tickets, $29 for adults, $24 for seniors, students, youth, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569, or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French.

BPA extends special thanks to Media Sponsor, KCTS-9 Public Television. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation, the City of Bainbridge Island, and One Call for All. Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to offer an "Open Doors" program. Free and reduced-cost tickets to most events are available to community members in need through our partner Helpline House thanks to a grant from the Mabee Family Foundation. Please contact the BPA Box Office at 206.842.8569 or Helpline House to reserve tickets today.

Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, or check us out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BPAonline and www.facebook.com/BainbridgeSymphonyOrchestra), follow BPA and BSO on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/bpasallyjomartine) and Twitter (@BPAPresents). Check online for the latest on theatre and symphony auditions, complete theatre school and adult class offerings, performance listings, tickets, promos, and more. Go to "About BPA" and click on "Get Our Newsletter" to receive electronic performance announcements and behind-the-scenes news.