Village Theatre's 2012-13 Season to Include BIG RIVER, CHICAGO and More

Village Theatre's complete 2012-2013 Season schedule includes the following:           
 
BIG RIVER
Book by William Hauptman
Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
 
Issaquah: September 12-October 21, 2012
Everett: October 26-November 18, 2012
 
One of America's greatest country and bluegrass songwriters, Roger Miller, made a household name in the 1970s with the hit song "King of the Road" (also penned hits "Billy Bayou" for Jim Reeves and "Old Friends" with Willie Nelson) and Tony Award-winning librettist William Hauptman gave America the award-winning musical Big River in the mid-1980s. This hit Broadway musical production of Mark Twain's great American novel, re-told by Huckleberry Finn himself, ran for over 1,000 performances. Fearful of his Pap's drunken rage, Huck fakes his own death and hightails it to the river to help his friend Jim escape from slavery. On the way, they encounter kings, thieves, and angry mobs on this famous, grand adventure through the South. Miller's signature bluegrass, blues, and country tunes accompany the treasured story of Huck Finn and his considerable trouble and considerable joy.
 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Book by Joseph Stein
 
Issaquah: November 7-December 30, 2012
Everett: January 4-27, 2013
 
Village Theatre will celebrate the power of tradition and change with Fiddler on the Roof, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that has entertained audiences for nearly 50 years. Nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning nine including Best Musical, score, book, direction, and choreography, the original 1964 Broadway production of Fiddler became the first musical to surpass 3,000 performances, going on to hold the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for nearly 10 years. As Tevye tries to hold onto his religion, his Russian-Jewish customs, and his five daughters, he knows that "without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof." Resplendent with some of the most beloved and timeless songs in musical theatre like "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker," "If I Were A Rich Man," and "Do You Love Me" Fiddler on the Roof is filled with laughter, warmth, and inspiration for the whole family. 
 
 
THE MOUSETRAP
By Agatha Christie
 
Issaquah: January 16-February 24, 2013
Everett: March 1-24, 2013
 
Written by the reining queen of the murder mystery, Agatha Christie's magnum opus The Mousetrap is the longest running play in modern history, tracking over 24,500 performances to date. This season, the play celebrates its 60th year of cunning suspense and intrigue. Stranded by a snowstorm within one guesthouse are the young couple who own the business, four single guests, one stranger who happened upon the house, and one detective. Eight inhabitants; one murderer; and one nameless target-but how many will get hit in the crossfire? Rich with excitement and mystery, you won't be sorry you got caught in The Mousetrap.
 
 
A New Musical
TRAILS
Book by Christy Hall
Lyrics by Jordan Mann
Music by Jeff Thomson
 
Issaquah: March 13-April 21, 2013
Everett: April 26-May 19, 2013
 
Two long-lost childhood friends are about drop everything to fulfill a promise and embark upon the journey of a lifetime: a 2,175-mile trek from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail. But this particular path is going to test more than just their stamina. As the challenges of the trail become increasingly difficult, long-kept secrets come to the surface and ghosts from the past haunt their steps. With captivating music full of humor and life, this new musical expedition tells a tale of personal strength and the rejuvenating spirit of adventure.
 
In 2008, the songwriting team behind this new musical received the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Grant, and was named 2006-2007 Dramatists Guild Musical Theatre Writing Fellows. Their songs have been featured in the acclaimed "Songbook" series at Lincoln Center, The York Theatre Company's N.E.O Concert Series, and Scott Alan's Monday Night New Voices programs in Chicago and New York. Trails won the award for Outstanding Music and Runner-Up for Best Lyrics at the 2010 NY Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF); it received the New World Stages Development Award in April 2011, a staged workshop presentation at the Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles. The show was last seen by Village Theatre audiences at the Village Originals 11th Annual Festival of New Musicals in 2011 where it was described by audiences as "a powerful production" that "made me laugh and brought me to tears."
 
"In both style and content Trails is one of the most refreshing new musicals I have heard in some time," Steve Tomkins, Village Theatre artistic director commented. "For me the show seems timely and relevant as here in the Northwest, walking the Pacific Crest trail has become a new rite of passage for many local young adults; the quest for discovery of who we are and rediscovery of whom we wanted to be is extremely compelling. Happily I can say that this show was an undeniable audience favorite in our 2011 New Works Festival. I'm eagerly waiting to share its catchy pop-country score and inspiring coming-of-age story with Village Theatre audiences."
 

CHICAGO
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse
 
Issaquah: May 8-June 29, 2013
Everett: July 5-28, 2013
 
The longest running American musical in Broadway history, as well as an Academy Award-winning movie, Chicago has seduced audiences across the globe since 1975. Chicago is famous for its satire on institutional corruption and the concept of the "celebrity criminal," as well as for the signature dance stylings of eight-time Tony Award-winning choreographer, Bob Fosse, and it's pop-driven, award-winning score. This musical is based on the 1926 play by the same name, and follows the merry murderesses of the Cook County jail. Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly have their sights set on fame and fortune, and they're willing to do more than just flirt with danger to get it. Village Theatre's new and invigorated production of this fierce and passionate musical will sparkle next spring as a live, powerhouse orchestra takes on some of today's favorite musical theatre songs like "Cell Block Tango," "Razzle Dazzle," and "All That Jazz."
 
Village Theatre Mainstage Subscription packages are on sale now in Issaquah and Everett, and offer five shows for the price of four. General admission prices range from $120-$250 (Issaquah), and $210-$230 in (Everett), with additional discounts available for seniors (65+) and youth (18 and under). Village Theatre in Issaquah offers Family Room seating as well. Single tickets will go on sale intermittently throughout the season beginning in August 2012 in Issaquah and September 2012 in Everett. Precise single ticket on-sale dates will be announced throughout the season. All tickets are available through Village Theatre's Box Office at (425) 392-2202(Issaquah) and (425) 257-8600 (Everett), or online at www.villagetheatre.org. Performances take place at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah located at 303 Front Street North, and at the Everett Performing Arts Center located at 2710 Wetmore Avenue.