TAKE ME AMERICA Plays Village Theatre's Mainstage 9/15-10/24

The new musical TAKE ME AMERICA follows seven desperate refugees seeking political asylum in the United States, and the three government agents who bear the responsibility of determining their fate. Inspired by true stories and based on the documentary "Well Founded Fear" (directed by Michael Camerini and Share Robertson), Village Theatre's Mainstage production of this new musical opens in Issaquah on September 15 and runs through October 24, 2011 before moving to Village Theatre's Everett location October 28-November 20, 2011.

In TAKE ME AMERICA, "the audience is part of the play. Who gets asylum? Who doesn't? And what is the human cost? The struggle in the asylum office is a microcosm of how we live, how we love and how we take care of our fellow man," author Bill Nabel describes.

Bill Nabel (book and lyrics) is a recipient of a 2009 State of Connecticut Playwright Fellowship Grant and a finalist for the American Academy of Arts and Letters 2009 Richard Rodgers Prize for TAKE ME AMERICA. Nabel is an alumnus of: Charlie Schulman of the Writers Voice; the Lehman Engel-BMI Musical Theater Workshop, Tufts University, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Abingdon Theatre New Playwrights. As an actor, he has appeared: opposite Ving Rhames on Starz' Gravity, as the French ambassador on Gossip Girl, and in eight Broadway shows, original Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, Sweeny Todd, 42nd Street, Home Sweet Homer, Ain't Broadway Grand, EVITA, and The Most Happy Fella, logging over 9000 performances on Broadway.

Composer Bob Christianson has composed for Sex and The City, ABC Sports (EMMY Nomination), "Late Show/David Letterman," and much more. He has recorded with Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross. His composition for TAKE ME AMERICA was a finalist for the American Academy of Arts and Letters Richard Rodgers Prize.

TAKE ME AMERICA was first seen at Village Theatre as a developmental reading in the 9th Annual Festival of New Musicals in 2009. Village Originals members raved about the one act production, calling it "neither a left nor right story, but a human story." It wasn't much of a surprise to Village Theatre artistic leadership to find it ranking high on the annual season subscriber survey. "TAKE ME AMERICA is a unique collection of very human stories where people are seeking refuge in America from a variety of situations in their home countries," Robb Hunt, Village Theatre executive producer explains. "It is a difficult transition because they love their homeland. Our audience has come to appreciate the unique way human stories are conveyed in musical theatre. They are an integral part of the development of these new shows and look forward to seeing them in our season."

For this production, Village Theatre will use cutting edge technology to produce unique projections throughout the entire show to infuse life and color into an otherwise strategically painted, gray set. "My inspiration for using projections came directly from the script," director Jerry Dixon (Show Boat, The Full Monty) commented. "TAKE ME AMERICA librettist, Bill Nabel, dropped in some specific moments where visual media might enhance the story-telling. As a director, I took these hints, and explored the why, when and how. In making a case of well-founded fear, an asylee might travel back to the time and place when their troubles began. This emotional retelling is a perfect time for a spiraling minaret (Algeria), a rushing river (El Salvador), or a dusty herd of oxen (South Sudan), to appear."

Cast: Learn more about the cast of TAKE ME AMERICA here, http://villagetheatre.org/TakeMeAmerica_cast.php

Production Team: TAKE ME AMERICA is directed by Jerry Dixon (Show Boat; The Full Monty); music directed by Tim Symons (Jesus Christ Superstar); scenic design by Scott Fyfe (Stunt Girl); lighting design by Alex Berry (Beauty and the Beast); sound design by Brent Warwick (Hail Caesar at Teatro ZinZanni); projection design by Martin Christoffel (scenic design for Sleuth) and Lara Kaminsky; costume design by Cynthia Savage (Meet Me in St. Louis).

Show Description: Seven desperate refugees know their chance for safety rests in the decision of three American agents. Take Me America is a gripping new musical about those who seek asylum in the United States, and the people who bear the responsibility of determining their fate. Inspired by true stories from across the globe, this compelling rock musical explores the humor in our humanity, the power of acceptance, and the delicate balance between caution and compassion.

Tickets: Issaquah $20-$60, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett $19-$54, Box Office (425) 257-8600 or (888) 257-3722 www.villagetheatre.org
Student/Military Rush: 1/2 price 30 minutes prior to curtain. Group rates available for 10+.