Weekly Update - 9/26/2008

Seattle Shakespeare
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW- *NOT SINGLE TICKETS
Henry IV >October 23 - November 16, 2008
The Servant of Two Masters >January 8 - February 1, 2009
The Turn of the Screw >January 13 - 28, 2009
The Merchant of Venice >March 12 - April 5, 2009
The Tempest >June 4 - 28, 2009

ReAct
ON SALE NOW
Last Five Years >September 18 - October 10, 2008

Taproot Theater Company
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Susan and God >September 24 - October 24, 2008
Gee's Bend >January 28 - February 28, 2009
Tuesdays With Morrie >March 25 - April 25, 2009
Around the World in 80 Days >March 20 - June 20, 2009
Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming >July 18 - August 15, 2009
Enchanted April >September 25 - October 24, 2009

Seattle Children's Theater
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Bluenose >October 17 - December 14, 2008
The Wizard of Oz >November 21, 2008 - January 17, 2009
Tomas and the Library Lady >January 9 - March 1, 2009
Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire >January 30 - March 7, 2009
The Tale of Two Cities >March 20 - April 12, 2009
Goodnight Moon >April 10 - June 14, 2009
I Was a Rat! >May 1 - June 14, 2009

Intiman Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
All the King's Men >October 3 - November 8, 2008
Black Nativity >November 29 - December 27, 2008

Seattle Repertory Theatre
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Night Watcher >September 25 - October 26, 2008
The Three Musketeers >October 2 - November 15, 2008
Boom >November 13 - December 14, 2008
You Can't Take It With You >November 28, 2008 - January 3, 2009
Waiting for Godot >January 15 - February 14, 2009
Rollick >February 5 - March 28, 2009
The Seafarer >February 26 - March 28, 2009
Betrayal >March 26 - April 26, 2009
Wishful Drinking >April 2 - May 3, 2009

ACT Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
Eurydice >September 5 - October 5, 2008
PROJECT ORPHEUS >September 13 - October 4 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm)
Becky's New Car >October 17 - November 16, 2008

Seattle Opera
ALL ON SALE NOW
Elektra >October 18 - November 1, 2008
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
ALL ON SALE NOW
A Chorus Line >August 5 - 10, 2008
The Phantom of the Opera >September 10 - October 4, 2008
Spring Awakening >October 14 - 19, 2008
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
SINGLE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SHREK AND THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
The Drowsy Chaperone >October 28 - November 16, 2008
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008 - on sale Sep. 19
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009 - on sale Sep. 19
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009 - on sale Feb. 6

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Looking for a Great Read?
Brett Dean McGibbon's Different Fish Bookstore

A Rare Chance to See Both Epic Parts in One Evening

Henry IV

October 23-November 16, 2008

SEATTLE – This fall Seattle Shakespeare Company offers the rare opportunity to experience both parts of Shakespeare’s epic Henry IV. Shakespeare’s Henry IV parts 1 and 2 have been adapted into one emotionally packed drama by Daikin Matthews. Artistic Director Stephanie Shine directs Henry IV with David Pichette playing King Henry, Tim Gouran as the playboy prince Hal, and Richard Ziman as the funny and complex Falstaff. With a low-priced preview on October 23, Henry IV opens on Friday, October 24. The production runs through November 16 at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center .

Support for Seattle Shakespeare Company’s production of Henry IV is provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, PONCHO, 4Culture, and 94.9 KUOW.

The adaptation of Henry IV wraps England ’s civil unrest around a young man’s coming of age. While Prince Hal drinks and carouses with the rogue Falstaff, his father, the King, grapples with rebel wars plaguing his rule. As father and Falstaff battle for his affections, the playboy prince struggles to mature from wild youth to the heroic King Henry V.

“I love the history plays,” says director Stephanie Shine. “I’d do them all the time if I could get away with it. But this event and adaptation is very special: Henry IV examines issues around leadership, honor, rebellion, and the tumultuous road of boyhood into manhood. Extremely potent subjects right now. Dakin’s lean and muscular adaptation captures many of the key elements from the rarely produced part two and weaves the stories together in a gripping dramatic way. I’m thankful that David and Richard brought it to my attention. This is a terrific opportunity for our audiences to discover this story in its entirety"

Actor, playwright, director and theatre scholar, Dakin Matthews has had a 30-love affair with the Henry IV epic, treating it like a living work in progress. He won a Drama Desk Award for his adaptation of Henry IV, produced by Lincoln Center Theater. He has dramaturged Shakespeare for Tony winners Jack O’Brien, Daniel Sullivan, and John Rando, and published four award-winning translations of classical Spanish plays. His verse play The Prince of L.A. won the World Premiere Ted Schmitt Award from the L.A. Theatre Critic s Circle. As an actor, he has specialized in Shakespearean roles, including Falstaff, Bottom, King Lear, Richard III, Brutus, Shylock, and Polonius. He is currently on Broadway, playing Wolsey in A Man For All Seasons. He has appeared in over 20 films and 200 TV shows, recurring recently on Desperate Housewives, The King of Queens, and Gilmore Girls.

The cast of Henry IV features Patrick Allcorn (Douglas/Westmoreland), Shawn Belyea (Glendower/Warrick/Archbishop), Keith Dahlgren (Northumberland/Bardolph), Alycia Delmore (Lady Percy/Doll Tearsheet), Ben Gonio (Hotspur/Silence), Tim Gouran (Prince Hal), Leticia Jaramillo (Mistress Quickly), David Anthony Lewis (Worcester), Jon Lutyens (Poins/Vernon), Brandon Petty(Prince John/Nym /Mortimer), David Pichette (King Henry/Shallow), Sean Shannon (Hastings/Francis), Brian Claudio Smith (Pistol/Blunt), Allison Michelle Standley (Lady Mortimer/Davy), and Richard Ziman (Falstaff).

Set and costume design for Henry IV is by Pete Rush, with lighting design by Tim Wratten and sound design by M. Elizabeth Eller.

Performances of Henry IV are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm (June 14 and 21) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. There will be Sunday evening performances at 7:30pm on November 2 and 9.

Special “Shakespeariences” will be offered in conjunction with Henry IV including: “Jumpstart into Henry IV” a facilitated introduction to the play (Oct 30 at 6PM - $10) and post play discussions on selected performances.

Tickets to performances of Henry IV are now on sale and range from $30-$36 for adults and $22-$25 for seniors and students. Pay-What-You-Will previews are on October 21 and 22 at 7:30 PM. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more.

For ticket reservations, call the Seattle Shakespeare Company box office (206) 733-8222 or go online at www.seattleshakespeare.org. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday 1:00-6:00 PM. During performance weeks, in addition to regular hours, the box office opens Saturdays 1:00-6:00 PM and Sundays 12noon to 4:00 PM. Seattle Shakespeare Company performs at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center .

CORRECTION, Wednesday September 24, 2008

ACT’s Central Heating Lab Hosts Fall Film Festival RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! on October 17

Seattle, WA – September 24, 2008 – The Central Heating Lab at ACT hosts the final RAWSTOCK film and music festival of 2008, RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! on October 17 at 8:45 p.m. RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! closes the 2008 season with a fantastic lineup of darkly themed entertainment chock full of grindhouse, horror and black comedy. Featured are: Chris Smith’s Delivery, Nash Edgerton’s Lucky and Calvin Lee Reeder’s Little Farm. Alex Ferrari and Jason Biggs provide cutting edge animation with Red Princess and Broken respectively. Finally, fan favorite Mitch Magee will be in attendance to personally screen three all new episodes of his cult phenomenon Welcome To My Study. Magee will host a Q&A before the screening that is open to all festival attendees.

The first three festivals, also held at ACT, have been wildly popular selling to near capacity crowds. RAWSTOCK has evolved into a “ground zero” for irreverent local filmmakers and up-and-coming musical acts. Bumbershoot’s “Made In Seattle” film program screened many films that RAWSTOCK had premiered earlier in the year such as: Jason Reid's Trucker's Lullaby and Shawn Telford's Night In The Sunlight. Musicians Benjamin Bear, Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden, and Kaylee Cole all broke new material in exciting live performances.

Doors open at 8:00 and the show begins at 8:45 p.m. For ages 21 and older. *WARNING: some films may contain graphic violence and shocking images. This festival is sponsored by Bulleit Bourbon, Wishlisting.com and Rockstar Energy Drink. Tickets for RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! are $15 and are available at the ACT Ticket Office, 700 Union Street , Downtown Seattle, (206) 292-7676 or online at www.acttheatre.org.

About RAWSTOCK

RAWSTOCK Film Festival launched in 2004 as a showcase for raw, irreverent local filmmakers. It was conceived by Seattle natives William Russell and Justin Freet as a reaction to the dearth of attention given to local indie filmmakers and their films. RAWSTOCK also acted as incentive for these filmmakers to actually complete their projects! Both Russell and Freet have a strong aversion to navel gazing and heavy handed drama, preferring instead to focus on irreverent animation, politically incorrect comedy and grindhouse style exploitation. Now in its fourth year, RAWSTOCK has grown to encompass movies, music and comedy from coast to coast.

Weekly Update - 9/23/2008

Seattle Shakespeare
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW- *NOT SINGLE TICKETS
Henry IV >October 23 - November 16, 2008
The Servant of Two Masters >January 8 - February 1, 2009
The Turn of the Screw >January 13 - 28, 2009
The Merchant of Venice >March 12 - April 5, 2009
The Tempest >June 4 - 28, 2009

ReAct
ON SALE NOW
Last Five Years >September 18 - October 10, 2008

Taproot Theater Company
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Susan and God >September 24 - October 24, 2008
Gee's Bend >January 28 - February 28, 2009
Tuesdays With Morrie >March 25 - April 25, 2009
Around the World in 80 Days >March 20 - June 20, 2009
Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming >July 18 - August 15, 2009
Enchanted April >September 25 - October 24, 2009

Seattle Children's Theater
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Bluenose >October 17 - December 14, 2008
The Wizard of Oz >November 21, 2008 - January 17, 2009
Tomas and the Library Lady >January 9 - March 1, 2009
Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire >January 30 - March 7, 2009
The Tale of Two Cities >March 20 - April 12, 2009
Goodnight Moon >April 10 - June 14, 2009
I Was a Rat! >May 1 - June 14, 2009

Intiman Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
All the King's Men >October 3 - November 8, 2008
Black Nativity >November 29 - December 27, 2008

Seattle Repertory Theatre
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Night Watcher >September 25 - October 26, 2008
The Three Musketeers >October 2 - November 15, 2008
Boom >November 13 - December 14, 2008
You Can't Take It With You >November 28, 2008 - January 3, 2009
Waiting for Godot >January 15 - February 14, 2009
Rollick >February 5 - March 28, 2009
The Seafarer >February 26 - March 28, 2009
Betrayal >March 26 - April 26, 2009
Wishful Drinking >April 2 - May 3, 2009

ACT Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
Eurydice >September 5 - October 5, 2008
PROJECT ORPHEUS >September 13 - October 4 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm)
Becky's New Car >October 17 - November 16, 2008

Seattle Opera
ALL ON SALE NOW
Elektra >October 18 - November 1, 2008
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
ALL ON SALE NOW
A Chorus Line >August 5 - 10, 2008
The Phantom of the Opera >September 10 - October 4, 2008
Spring Awakening >October 14 - 19, 2008
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
SINGLE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SHREK AND THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
The Drowsy Chaperone >October 28 - November 16, 2008
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008 - on sale Sep. 19
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009 - on sale Sep. 19
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009 - on sale Feb. 6

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Looking for a Great Read?
Brett Dean McGibbon's Different Fish Bookstore

Seattle Repertory Theatre Hosts Annual Gala - Le Cirque Repartee

Saturday, October 4, 2008 6:30 p.m. cocktails 7:30 p.m. dinner and awards Grand Hyatt Seattle

Seattle, WA - As a kick-off to Seattle Rep's 46th Season, Seattle Rep is presenting Le Cirque Repartee, the 2008 Black-Tie Gala to benefit Seattle Rep's artistic and educational programming on Saturday, October 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt in Seattle. The evening will honor theatre legend Bill Irwin and lifetime supporter of the arts, Matthew N. Clapp Jr. It promises to be a night of spectacle, passion and whimsy, featuring thrilling theatricality, fabulous theatre-themed auction packages, cocktails, a multi-course meal, and dancing into the night to the swinging sounds of the renowned Dudley Manlove Quartet. Tickets can be purchased through Seattle Rep's Development Office by calling 206-443-2360. About The Legacy Honor Awards: This year, Seattle Rep is proud to honor Bill Irwin-legendary actor, vaudevillian clown, playwright, choreographer and so much more-with Seattle Repertory Theatre's Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. This award honors and recognizes individuals who have played a significant role not only in Seattle Rep's success, but have made major contributions to the American theatre. Seattle Rep audiences have experienced Bill's extraordinary talent in many incarnations, including Largely/New York (1988), The Seattle Experiments: An Evening of Fragments (1994), Scapin (1995) and Fool Moon (1998). Lifetime Dedication to the Theatre 2008 Honoree: Matthew N. Clapp, Jr. For nearly two decades, Matthew Clapp has been at the heart of what Seattle Rep does. A truly generous, leading supporter and enthusiastic audience member, Clapp has helped Seattle Rep make many of its artistic dreams come true. Through his sustaining and inspirational support, Clapp has long been dedicated to helping Seattle Rep develop and produce new plays for the American stage by both established and emerging writers. To sustain these important programs in perpetuity, Matthew Clapp created the Mary Davis Clapp Fund for New Works in Seattle Rep's Endowment; the support provided by the fund has helped make possible several important world premiere productions.

***

More info: http://www.seattlerep.org/BenefitEventsGala.html

Children learn friendship and BULLYING PREVENTION skills

in free performance by Taproot Theatre’s Road Company

Live Theatre Week performance on October 18 at Greenwood Library

SEATTLE – September 22, 2008 – Taproot Theatre’s Road Company is giving a free public performance of Camp Super Friend at the Greenwood Branch of the Seattle Public Library on October 18 as part of Live Theatre Week. Camp Super Friend, by Bethany Wallace, is one of three educational plays the Road Company performs at schools throughout the Pacific Northwest, and this event gives the public a rare opportunity to enjoy it. The play teaches kids about forming friendships, appreciating differences and preventing bullying as they join Marvel, a superhero, at super camp. The performance on October 18 is a Live Theatre Week Family Day event. It takes place at 11 a.m. in the meeting room of the library, located at 8016 Greenwood Avenue North in Seattle.

In Camp Super Friend, Marvel may be a super hero, but that doesn’t mean he knows how to be a super friend … yet. At Super Camp, the summer camp for superheroes, Marvel discovers it’s a lot harder to make friends than he thought. With some helpful advice from his dad, and the assistance of his camp counselor, Marvel learns what it takes to make and be a good friend. Meanwhile, the evil Professor Nemesis has come up with a sinister plan to strip all the superheroes of their powers. It’s up to Marvel and his new friends to use their special gifts and work together to save the day. Camp Super Friend is appropriate for elementary school students as young as kindergarten.

Taproot Theatre’s Road Company has been touring dynamic educational plays to students throughout the Pacific Northwest since 1985. The Road Company reaches tens of thousands of students each year with productions that address relevant social issues and provide youth with safe steps to approach them. The current touring repertoire teaches students important lessons about bullying and harassment prevention using principles from Committee for Children’s “Steps to Respect” and “Second Step” programs. In addition to the touring productions, Taproot Theatre provides teachers’ guides and resources to facilitate classroom discussion and increase the effectiveness of the message. The actors are also available for individual classroom visits.

To book a show, contact Josiah Wallace at 206.529.3669 or touring@taproottheatre.org.

About Taproot Theatre

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi-faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), and the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

ACT’s Central Heating Lab Hosts Fall Film Festival RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! on October 17

Seattle, WA – September 17, 2008 – The Central Heating Lab at ACT hosts the final RAWSTOCK film festival of 2008, RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! on October 17 at 8:45 pm. The first three festivals, also held at ACT, have been wildly popular, selling to near capacity crowds. Proving that RAWSTOCK truly is “ahead of the curve,” and attracts some of the best local filmmakers, RAWSTOCK founder Justin Freet points out that, “over 70 percent of the films shown at the Bumbershoot One Reel fest in early September actually premiered at RAWSTOCK first!”

RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! is chock full of grindhouse and horror, as well as black comedy and vicious animation. It includes the world premieres of Chris Smith’s Delivery, Nash Edgerton’s Lucky and Calvin Lee Reeder’s Little Farm. Back by popular demand, Mitch Magee will return with a third episode of Welcome To My Study and Alex Ferrari and Jason Biggs will share their films Red Princess and Broken.

Doors open at 8:00 and the show begins at 8:45 pm. For ages 21 and older. *WARNING: some films may contain graphic violence and shocking images. This festival is sponsored by Bulleit Bourbon, Wishlisting.com and Rockstar Energy Drink. Tickets for RAWSTOCK ATTACKS! are $15 and are available at the ACT Ticket Office, 700 Union Street, Downtown Seattle, (206) 292-7676 or online at www.acttheatre.org.

About RAWSTOCK

RAWSTOCK Film Festival launched in 2004 as a showcase for raw, irreverent local filmmakers. It was conceived by Seattle natives William Russell and Justin Freet as a reaction to the dearth of attention given to local indie filmmakers and their films. RAWSTOCK also acted as incentive for these filmmakers to actually complete their projects! Both Russell and Freet have a strong aversion to navel gazing and heavy handed drama, preferring instead to focus on irreverent animation, politically incorrect comedy and grindhouse style exploitation. Now in its fourth year, RAWSTOCK has grown to encompass movies, music and comedy from coast to coast.

Strap Yourself in for the Ride of Your Life with the

World Premiere Comedy Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz

Becky’s New Car

By Steven Dietz

Directed by Kurt Beattie

Previews: October 17-22, 2008

Opens: October 23, 2008

Closes: November 16, 2008

Tickets

$10/$15 (for students/people 25 and under) to $55

Pay-What-You-Will: October 19 at 7:30 p.m., October 30 at 2:00 p.m.

ACT Theatre

Ticket Office: (206) 292-7676

Group Sales (12 or more): (253) 839-4204

700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101

www.acttheatre.org

Seattle, WA – September 16, 2008 – ACT – A Contemporary Theatre debuts the world premiere comedy Becky’s New Car by local treasure Steven Dietz, commissioned as a part of ACT’s New Works for the American Stage in honor of Benita Staadecker.

The ninth of Dietz’s plays to be produced by ACT, the playful and painful, wacky and wistful Becky’s New Car maps out a road trip that lets the audience ride shotgun in a way most plays don’t dare. Fortyish Becky Foster (Kimberly King ) has a decent job at an auto dealership, a solid husband named Joe (Charles Leggett) and a freeloading psych-major son named Chris (Benjamin Harris) living in her basement. Her life is…okay, if not sublime, but she can’t help having the nagging suspicion that she’s missed out on something. Then, at the end of a long day at work when everyone else has gone home, a delightfully daft millionaire named Walter Flood (Michael Winters) shows up looking for the perfect gift for his employees. Walter, a recent widower, falls hard for Becky at first sight, and when he jumps to the conclusion that Becky too has lost her spouse, the moment when she might correct the misunderstanding slips by and Becky finds she doesn’t really mind.

Before Becky knows it, Walter is inviting her to exclusive parties at his island estate, introducing her to his discontented daughter Kenni (Anna-Lisa Carlson) and wooing her to be the new Mrs. Flood. Without really planning to, Becky has the chance to test drive another kind of existence – if she can just keep Walter in the dark about the one she already has, and Joe in ignorance about the one she’s trying out!

“This is a delightful, life-affirming comic play about the road not often taken and the soul of a woman pulled in two directions, romantically and socially. And will either road lead to happiness?” said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. “I think it is one of Steven Dietz’s best and most delicious plays. It is an honor to work on this world premiere.”

Additional presentations in conjunction with Becky’s New Car include The “Awesome” Cycle by popular theatrical band “Awesome” (October 24-November 15, Fridays 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.) produced by The Central Heating Lab at ACT, as well as pre- and post-show discussions.

New Century Theatre Company Presents Inaugural Production

Determination and Donations Are Paying Off

The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice
Run Dates/Times: Nov. 13 - Dec 13, 2008; Thur. - Sat. 8pm; Sun. 2pm
Opening Night: Nov. 14, 2008 8pm
Location: ACT’s Falls Theatre Space
700 Union Street, Seattle

New Century Theatre Company (NCTC), Seattle’s newest professional theater, will make its official debut at ACT Theatre’s Falls Theatre space with Elmer Rice’s rarely produced American masterpiece, The Adding Machine. NCTC was founded by eight well-respected Seattle theater artists - Hans Altwies, Paul Morgan Stetler, Amy Thone, Michael Patten, Stephanie Timm, Ray Gonzalez, Jennifer Lee Taylor and MJ Sieber - who share a deep desire to help reinvigorate Seattle’s national reputation as a vibrant force of cutting-edge, ambitious, relevant theater. Locally respected theater artists Darragh Kennan, Betsy Schwartz, and Peter Dylan O’Connor have recently joined NCTC to bring the company’s membership to eleven.
NCTC is devoted to producing timely, vital stories that will reconnect Seattle audiences to the
transcendent power of live performance. NCTC members believe that “story is king” and are
committed to plays that are fearless, heightened, sincere, dangerous, crass, erotic, ugly, and full of hope. NCTC’s focus is on timely works of the 20th Century; provocative “second looks” of underproduced, newer contemporary masterpieces; and annual world premieres from some of our country’s most talented up-and-coming writers. It is NCTC’s goal to provide the Seattle community with a fearless ensemble of local artists whose vast experience and developed sense of chemistry provide a cohesive, dynamic, consistent theater-going experience they believe audiences crave.
The idea for NCTC began in late 2006 when longtime friends Hans Altwies and Paul Stetler were
performing together for the first time in a production of Edward Albee’s The Lady From Dubuque at Seattle Rep. “We were frustrated by all the theaters that were closing in our city,” Stetler said. “The Bathhouse, The Group, Tacoma Actor’s Guild, The Empty Space…they were dropping like flies.” Altwies agrees, “So, we figured why not take up the mantle and bring something new and exciting to our city.” The fact that Stetler (married to playwright Stephanie Timm) and Altwies (married to The 2007 Stranger Genius Award Winner Amy Thone) are also next-door neighbors allowed for many latenight, impassioned conversations. Altwies remembers, “What started out as a hypothetical situation very quickly turned into something serious. We couldn’t stop talking about it.” Thone and Timm quickly became intrigued as did good friend (Executive Director) Michael Patten. A close-knit group of well-seasoned local actors soon joined in. “It just sort of materialized organically,” Stetler says. “We were a company before we even knew it.”
The long hard road to developing a new theatre company has certainly been peppered with obstacles; most of them financial. The Adding Machine, a huge and highly theatrical play, was purposefully selected as the piece that will launch NCTC with a BANG! The budget for this inaugural show is roughly $55,000 and NCTC has single-handedly raised just over one-half of that strictly from personal donations by friends, family and the Seattle theater community at large. Two more fundraisers are scheduled for late September and October. “We are amazed at the support and enthusiasm that is coming our way. It feels like we have our finger on the pulse of something very exciting,” says Stetler. “It’s true,” adds Altwies. “Seattle is showing with their pocketbook that they are ready for something new.”
NCTC has also received tremendous guidance from ACT Theatre – to whom they are extremely
grateful – and wonderful support from their financial partner organization, Shunpike. “But we’re not out of the woods, yet,” Stetler is quick to point out. “We still have quite a ways to go.”
The Adding Machine, will be directed by John Langs (King Lear, Romeo & Juliet Seattle
Shakespeare Co.; Louis Slotin Sonata Empty Space, Crumbs Are Also Bread WET) and the cast will feature the acting talents of company members Paul Morgan Stetler, Amy Thone, Darragh Kennan, Jennifer Lee Taylor, and MJ Sieber. Other cast members include Tracy Hyland, Evan Whitfield, Jane May, Joseph P. McCarthy, Kate Wisniewski, Jonah Von Sprechen, Kate Witt, Erwin Galan, Noah Benezra and Kate Parker. The creative team includes: set designer Jennifer Zeyl, lighting designer Geoff Korf, sound designer Rob Witmer, and costume designer Pete Rush. Props will be handled by Christy Penny and the Stage Manager will be Lori Amondson.
The Adding Machine will be produced under a Letter of Agreement with the Actor’s Equity
Association. Tickets are $25 ($20 for patrons under 25, with a valid ID) and are currently available at the ACT Ticket Office, 700 Union Street, downtown Seattle, (206) 292-7676 or online at www.acttheatre.org. For more information about the New Century Theatre Company visit www.newcenturytheatrecompany.org

About The Adding Machine
Written in 1923, this groundbreaking play, with its themes of American business and quiet lives of desperation, is not only considered to be the first piece of expressionistic theater in the United States, but is also a surprisingly up-to-the-minute attack on the dehumanizing effect technology has on modern society. This serio-comic tale follows the exploits of Mr. Zero, a hard working, psuedo-Everyman as he toils through his rather inconsequential existence only to discover that after years of soul-rending dedication to his job, he'll soon be replaced by a machine. Mr. Zero does not take this news lightly and his choices will soon send him on a path discovering the true nature of his existence.


Top Row (from L to R): Michael Patten, Jennifer Lee Taylor, Peter Dylan O’Connor, Ray Gonzalez, Darragh Kennan,
Middle Row: Paul Morgan Stetler, Stephanie Timm, Betsy Schwartz.
Bottom Row: Amy Thone, Hans Altwies, and MJ Sieber.

FROM “IDOL” TO “ANGEL”!

AMERICAN IDOL WINNER

TAYLOR HICKS

TO STAR AS “TEEN ANGEL” IN THE NATIONAL TOUR OF GREASE

May 12 – 30 at The 5th Avenue Theatre

SEATTLE - The producers of the Tony Award nominated new Broadway production of GREASE are proud to announce that “American Idol” Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks, will star in the first national tour of the show, launching at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI on December 2, 2008. Taylor Hicks made his debut on Broadway in the role of “Teen Angel” this past summer. The tour rocks and rolls its way to The 5th Avenue Theatre from May 12 – 30, 2009.

Taylor Hicks achieved widespread fame in 2006 as a contestant on the hugely successful FOX singing competition “American Idol.” On May 24, 2006, Hicks was named the winner of the fifth season of “Idol” with over 63.4 million votes in total. Winning the title over Katharine McPhee, the announcement was made during the live finale episode which aired to a worldwide audience of over 200 million viewers.

Born in Birmingham , Alabama , Taylor Hicks’ passion for music began at an early age. He toured the Southeastern Unites States during his teenage years and released two independent albums. Known for his energetic performances with influences derived from classic soul, blues and R&B music, he quickly grew a large fan base among the millions of viewers and voters who tuned in to “Idol” each week. His fans ultimately dubbed themselves the “Soul Patrol.” Immediately following “Idol,” Hicks signed a recording contract with 19 Records Limited / Arista Records. His debut single, “Do I Make You Proud,” debuted in the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was subsequently certified Gold. His eponymous debut album, Taylor Hicks was released on December 12, 2006 and debuted in the #2 spot on the Billboard 200 charts and was later certified as a Platinum Album. After signing a book deal with Random House, Hicks’ memoir Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way was released in July of 2007.

This new production of GREASE™, which opened on Broadway on Sunday, August 19, 2007, was born out of NBC’s landmark talent competition TV series, “Grease: You’re The One That I Want.” The weekly talent competition drew 90 million viewers, and America voted for its favorite contestants to play the lead roles of Sandy and Danny on Broadway. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town ), GREASE™ features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

After spending a hopelessly devoted summer with Sandy Dumbrowski, the new girl in town, Danny Zuko's world is thrown upside down when Sandy appears at Rydell High on the first day of school. What follows is a rock n' roll celebration of growin' up, cruisin' with friends and goin' steady. The new production of GREASE™ features songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture for the first time ever in a Broadway production including “Sandy,” the Academy Award nominated song “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want” - both of which were #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100 list. These songs will be heard in addition to the Jacobs/Casey songs made famous by the original stage production including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together.”

GREASE™ features scenic design by Tony Award nominee Derek McLane (The Pajama Game), costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kiss Me Kate), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Wicked) and sound design by Brian Ronan (Spring Awakening, Curtains).

GREASE™ is produced on tour by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations, Inc. and Terry Allen Kramer by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.

Full casting for the tour will be announced at a later date.

www.greaseonbroadway.com

Five-Time Tony Award^®-Winning Musical,

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE,

Roars into The 5th Avenue Theatre for a Riotous Limited Engagement!

SEATTLE – The Roaring ‘20s are back and better than ever! The most celebrated musical of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone, a completely original musical comedy, is coming to Seattle’s The 5th Avenue Theatre from October 29th to November 16th. The music and lyrics by Tony Award^® winners Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Tony Award^® winners Bob Martin and Don McKellar offer up a thoroughly modern take on classic comedy. The show is directed and choreographed by Tony Award^® nominee Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot), who got his start choreographing The 5th Avenue Theatre productions of My Fair Lady and The Prince And The Pauper.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is the tale of a modern day musical theater maven, known simply as “Man in Chair”. To chase his blues away he drops the needle on his favorite LP – the 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life on-stage telling the tale of the pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up showbiz to get hitched and her producer’s attempts to sabotage her impending nuptials. Hilarious antics ensue with her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorus girl, the Latin lover, and a pair of gangsters masquerading as pastry chefs. Man in Chair’s love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theater.

The cast includes Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, widely known as Gilbert Blythe from the popular “Anne of Green Gables” movies, as Man in Chair. The much beloved Georgia Engel will reprise her role of Mrs. Tottendale for the tour. Ms Engel is best remembered for her Emmy Award^®-winning role as Georgette on the legendary “Mary Tyler Moore Show”, as well as her appearances on “Everybody Loves Raymond”.

Joining them are Cliff Bemis (Feldzieg), Andrea Chamberlain (Janet Van De Graaff), Linda Griffin (Kitty), Dale Hensley (Aldolpho), Alicia Irving (The Drowsy Chaperone), Mark Ledbetter (Robert Martin), Paul Riopelle (Gangster #1), Peter Riopelle (Gangster #2), Noble Shropshire (Underling), Richard Vida (George), and NaTasha Williams (Trix). Rounding out the cast are Megan Nicole Arnoldy, Kevin Crewell, Jen Taylor Farrell, Jody Madaras, Chuck Rea, Mason Roberts and Jennifer Swiderski.

The Drowsy Chaperone received more Tony Awards^® than any other musical of the 2006 season, including Best Book (Bob Martin and Don McKellar); Original Score (Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison), Costume Design (Gregg Barnes) and Scenic Design (David Gallo). The creative team for The Drowsy Chaperone also includes lighting design by Ken Billington (Chicago ) and Brian Monahan, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, orchestrations by Larry Blank, dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly, and music director/vocal arrangements by Phil Reno.

The Drowsy Chaperone is produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

Visit www.drowsychaperone.com for more information.

Seattle Rep Welcomes Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan Joins Producing Artistic Director, Jerry Manning as Artistic Consultant

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced that Dan Sullivan will join Producing Artistic Director, Jerry Manning and his resident artistic team as Artistic Consultant. Sullivan will be assisting the staff in planning the 2009-2010 season. Sullivan comes back to the Rep after having been the Artistic Director at Seattle Rep from 1981 to 1997 and is currently directing Charlayne Woodard's The Night Watcher in the Leo K. Theatre, which was built under his leadership. The theatre is currently evaluating its organizational model to determine the appropriate artistic and business management structure for the future. That process will be completed before beginning a search for a new artistic director. "We are excited to bring back Dan Sullivan and create this dynamic artistic dream team which will assure the consistency and quality of our programming as we move through this transition." Says Board President Jane Zalutsky. "Seattle Rep audiences know and love both Dan Sullivan and Jerry Manning and we trust that Dan will infuse Seattle Rep with his vision and experience as one of todays most highly regarded theatre practitioners." Sullivan will take on the role of Artistic Consultant effective immediately.

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents: The Three Musketeers

Adapted from the novel by Alexander Dumas by Ken Ludwig Directed by Kyle Donnelly

October 2 - November 15, 2008 (Opening Night: Friday, October 10)

Seattle, WA - Seattle Repertory Theatre brings the sword-fighting fun of The Three Musketeers to the stage in a new family-friendly, fast-paced adaptation. The Three Musketeers plays in the Bagley Wright Theatre from October 2 through November 15. Previews begin October 2, with opening night set for October 10. Tickets are available through the Seattle Repertory Theatre box office seven days a week at (206) 443-2222, toll-free at (877) 900-9285, as well as online at www.seattlerep.org. Bring your family to this fresh, fast-paced, and hilarious adaptation of one of literature's most thrilling romantic adventures. The dashing musketeers-and one plucky kid sister-swashbuckle their way through nefarious villains, international intrigue, and exotic ladies. It's "all for one and one for all!" in an action-packed update of this beloved classic. Kids get in free with paid adult tickets on October 5 for a special 3 p.m. family matinee of The Three Musketeers. Pre-show workshops include sword, hat and costume making. Kids will be knighted as a Musketeer before enjoying the performance. Ken Ludwig has had a number of hits on Broadway, in London and around the world, including Crazy For You, which won the Tony and Oliver Awards for Best Musical, Lend Me A Tenor, which won two Tonys and the Oliver Award nomination for Best Play and was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Moon Over Buffalo, which marked Carol Burnett's return to Broadway and starred Joan Collins and Frank Langella at the Old Vic in London, Twentieth Century with Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche, the Broadway musical The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, and Shakespeare In Hollywood, which won the Helen Hayes Award as Best New Play of the Year. His plays have been translated into over 20 languages. He studied music at Harvard with Leonard Bernstein and theatre history at Cambridge University in England. Kyle Donnelly recently directed her adaptation of Polk County at Berkeley Rep, a production she also staged in its world premiere for Arena Stage, winning the Helen Hayes Award for Best New Musical. She has directed the world premiere of Shakespeare in Hollywood for Arena Stage, The Constant Wife for American Conservatory Theater, A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Old Globe Theatre, and Philadelphia Here I Come! for the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Ms. Donnelly directed the American premiere of Brian Friel's Give Me Your Answer, Do! for Roundabout Theatre and has worked at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Huntington Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, ACT Theatre, and many others. She is the head of the Professional Actor Training program at U.C.S.D. in San Diego. Performances of The Three Musketeers are at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sundays. Family Day is Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. with pre-show activities starting at 2 p.m. Pay-What-You-Can performance is Thursday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. Post-play discussions will be held after performances on Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 at 2 p.m. There is an audio-described performance on Saturday, November 1 at 2 p.m. and an American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted performance on Sunday, November 2 at 2 p.m.