Village Theatre Announces 2013/14 Season Including “Xanadu” and “Les Miz”

The final piece of the 2013/2014 Seattle musical theater puzzle is in place…Seattle Theatre Group/The Paramount and the 5th Avenue Theatre have already announced their schedules and now the Village Theatre in Issaquah has released their schedule for the next theatrical season, and it includes a mix of the very new, the not so new and the very popular.

First up is the very campy…”Xanadu”, the stage adaptation of the Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra film from 1980 was a popular hit on Broadway a few years back (starring a former Seattle gay resident, actor Cheyenne Jackson) and it makes its professional locally produced debut at the Village’s Issaquah theater on September 12 and runs through October 20, 2013 then heads to the Everett Performing Arts Center for a run lasting until November 17th. The fluffier than cotton candy musical has been described as “Greek mythology meets Roller Disco” and features the hit songs from the film including  “I’m Alive,” “Suddenly,” “Magic,” and the deliciously upbeat title tune. It’s short, sweet and deliciously trivial…and, fun for the entire family.

It’s followed by a musical that’s far longer, darker and deeper…and, ridiculously beloved. The enormous spectacle and huge cast of Les Misérables takes the second slot in the Village’s 13/14 season, running from November 7, 2013 through January 5, 2014 in Issaquah, and January 10 through February 2, 2014 in Everett. The hugely popular musical has recently earned more fans with the much lauded film adaptation and the stage production is receiving a lot of new productions as a result…in fact, you’ll have TWO opportunities in the fall of 2013 to check out Les Miz in the area; Capitol Hill’s Balagan Theater is staging a “chamber” production of the show as well. But, we’re guessing that the Village’s production will be the full monty, with a big cast, big costumes, big sets and lots and lots of the big emotions you can expect from the bombast of Les Miz.

Larry Shue’s madcap comic romp, “The Foreigner” occupies the Village’s traditional winter “straight” play slot with a run starting January 23, 2014 in Issaquah and March 7, 2014 in Everett. The far fetched but highly enjoyable comedy concerns Charlie, a man seeking a bit of peace and quiet in a rural lodge in Georgia, who pretends to be a non-English speaking foreigner to avoid getting involved with the locals. But, naturally this leads to complications and Charlie finds himself in the middle of a muddle that includes a swindle and the participation of some nasty local racists. Who doesn’t adore farces involving phony accents and the Klan?

A new musical takes the Village stage on March 20, 2014…”The Tutor” with music by Andrew Gerle and book & lyrics by Maryrose Wood is a world premiere musical about:

One aspiring young novelist thinks he has discovered the formula for success: slaving over his novel in the morning and tutoring rich kids in the afternoon to pay the bills. Unfortunately, his characters are starting to develop attitudes of their own. But muses can come in the least expected places, and his latest “cash cow” student, a sullen 16-year-old from the Upper Eastside, just might have the key to his success. Set to a fun and energetic pop score, this new musical comedy is filled with family drama, creative angst, and romantic blunders that will leave you smiling.

The musical will end its Issaquah run on April 27, 2014 and run in Everett from May 2 through May 25, 2014.

Finally, closing out the Village’s 2013/14 season: “Funny Girl” the much loved musical telling of the life of Ziegfeld Follies star, Fanny Brice and best known for the film version starring Barbra Streisand. The Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical features such beloved tunes as “People”, “Don’t Rain on my Parade” and “I’m the Greatest Star” and we’re guessing every Streisand fan within a 200 mile radius will descend upon the Village from May 15-July 6, 2014 (in Issaquah) and July 11-August 3, 2014 (Everett) to check it out.

Subscription packages for the 13/14 season are available here for Issaquah, and here for Everett. Single ticket sales will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit the Village website.