Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Presents 'Once Upon a Time in New Jersey' at Everett Performing Arts Center

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 msanders@villagetheatre.org. 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.

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