Portland Center Stage to Present World Premiere of SOMEWHERE IN TIME Musical This Spring

Portland Center Stage (PCS) will present the world premiere of the new musical, Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come), which was made into the hit film starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Somewhere in Time begins previews on May 28, with opening night set for May 31, 2013.

Tickets are on sale now at www.pcs.org/somewhere. Casting for Somewhere in Time is to be announced.

In Somewhere in Time, young playwright Richard Collier has an encounter with a mysterious old woman on the opening night of his earliest success; she entreats him, to his bewilderment, to “come back to me.” Several years later, with his life and career in disarray, he seeks quiet and contemplation and checks in to a storied hotel from his youth. But his stay at the hotel turns into the journey of a lifetime as he unravels history—and time—to discover a powerful but perhaps impossible love.

The 1980 film of Somewhere in Time is a romantic classic, beloved by several generations of movie goers. This world premiere musical invites those who love the story, and those discovering it for the first time, to experience its magic with original music by Doug Katsaros and lyrics by Amanda Yesnowitz, with book by Ken Davenport.

“Years ago, I fell hopelessly in love with the story of Somewhere in Time, just as our lead character falls hopefully in love with Elise McKenna, and I’m thrilled that we will be premiering the production in Portland this spring,” said Davenport. “Yes, the theater is the right size for our show. Yes, traveling to Portland from New York City is easy. But that’s not why we’re so excited to be going to Portland. Giving birth to a new musical isn’t easy. And, well, the people of Portland Center Stage under the incredible direction of Chris Coleman, and the people of Portland itself, are exactly the type of family that you want in that delivery room.”

Somewhere in Time will be directed by Scott Schwartz, whose Broadway credits include Golda’s Balcony and Jane Eyre. He also directed Bat Boy: The Musical (Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Award, Best Off-Broadway Musical); tick, tick...BOOM! (Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Off-Broadway Musical); Franz Kafka's The Castle (both at Manhattan Ensemble Theater) and No Way to Treat a Lady Off-Broadway. Two-time Tony nominated John Carrafa (Urinetown, Into The Woods) will choreograph.

The design team for Somewhere in Time includes Alexander Dodge on sets, and Portland Center Stage resident costume designer Jeff Cone. Additional designers will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.SomewhereInTimeTheMusical.com.

“I’m proud that Portland Center Stage has earned a reputation as a theater committed to, and excelling in, the production of new work,” said Artistic Director Chris Coleman. “We have also cultivated an audience for great musicals, so when the opportunity arose to become part of launching this exciting world premiere musical, we knew it would be a terrific addition to our 25th Anniversary Season.”

Somewhere in Time replaces the previously announced Ella: The Musical in the PCS 2012-2013 season. Ticket holders for Ella will receive new tickets for Somewhere in Time for the same dates and seats as purchased previously, automatically assuring them seating for this world premiere event.

Portland Center Stage production sponsors for Somewhere in Time are our Season Superstars Umpqua Bank (Lead Corporate Champion) Tim & Mary Boyle; and 24 Hour Fitness and Ketel One, with additional funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, RACC/Work for Art, and the Oregon Arts Commission. Somewhere in Time is produced by special arrangement with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, Inc. www.DavenportTheatrical.com.