World Premiere Musical TRAILS Opens at Village Theatre Tonight

Village Theatre's commitment to nurturing new musicals continues with the world premiere of TRAILS, opening tonight, March 14, 2013 at the Issaquah theatre. This musical expedition had its first reading in 2011 as part of Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals; now, Village Theatre is preparing for a full scale production. The three TRAILS creators, Christy Hall (book), Jordan Mann (lyrics), Jeff Thomson (music), are all in town to work with local director Eric Ankrim and the talented NW-based cast and crew.

With dozens of new songs (samples available at http://villagetheatre.org/Trails.php --click the Audio/Video tab) and a newly constructed mountain-sized set (quite literally, it's a man-made mini-mountain!) Village Theatre is embracing the spirit of adventure that encompasses all aspects of the show. Stepping away from Broadway's current tendency toward movie adaptations (Flashdance, Elf) or jukebox musicals (American Idiot) TRAILS is a traditional book musical in a nontraditional outdoor setting along the Appalachian Trail.

Two childhood friends, now in their 30s, are about to 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, ghosts from the past haunt their steps, and the woman they both cherish brings back long-kept secrets.

The TRAILS cast members include: Dane Stokinger (Mike), Joshua Carter (Seth), Kirsten Delohr Helland (Amy), John Patrick Lowrie, Bobbi Kotula and Sarah Rose Davis. It is directed by Eric Ankrim and R.J. Tancioco is the music director. Jen Zeyl, Robert Aguilar, Chelsea Blum and Brent Warwick are the set, lighting, costume and sound designers (respectively).

Tickets: $22 - $63 https://issaquah.villagetheatre.org/TheatreManager/95/login&event=440