Village Theatre celebrates Pulitzer Prize
Published 2:52 pm Sunday, April 18, 2010
Village Theatre is taking a bow.
Not only did one of its original musicals just win a Pulitzer Prize, another one is currently on Broadway.
Village Theatre is based in Issaquah but also performs at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
Artistic director Steve Tomkins said new works have always been an integral part of the company’s mission.
“With the excitement around ‘Next To Normal’ and ‘Million Dollar Quartet,’ and the favorable attention being paid to our current new musical ‘The Gypsy King,’ there is a strong focus on our new works program, which is very exciting for us,” Tomkins said.
On April 12, the Pulitzer panel announced that “Next to Normal,” about a mother with bipolar disorder, won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama. This Tony Award-winner got its start in Issaquah in Village Theatre’s new works program under the title “Feeling Electric.”
Written by Brian Yorkey, Village Theatre’s former associate artistic director, “Next to Normal” is scheduled to be staged at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in early 2011.
Village Theatre subscribers can add on tickets to their subscription to see the touring production at a special discounted rate. Go to www.villagetheatre.org.
“Million Dollar Quartet,” currently on Broadway, got its start in Issaquah in 2006. To date, the show is Village Theatre’s biggest-grossing new musical.
On April 30, Village Theatre will premiere another new musical in Everett when “The Gypsy King” opens at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
Written by Emmy-award winner Randy Rogel, “The Gypsy King” is a comedy done with a vaudeville flair that focuses on a father-son acting duo.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
