A PROPER PLACE by Broadway's Leslie Becker Gets World Premiere Production

Downton Abbey meets Gilligan's Island in this hysterical new musical titled A Proper Place by Broadway's Leslie Becker (Bonnie & Clyde, Amazing Grace) and Curtis Rhodes. After nearly four years of development and appearances in the Festival of New Musicals for both Goodspeed Musicals and The Village Theatre, A Proper Place lands a full-scale World Premiere Production beginning March 16 at The Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA.

Set in 1902, the musical follows Lord Loam's disastrous family outing - landing the family on a deserted island. Stranded alone, their trusty system of societal hierarchy begins to slip away as their only hope for survival turns out to be the innovative spirit of Crichton, the lowly butler. As everything they once knew is turned on its head, the island begins to reveal new dynamics and romance sparks between the classes. "It feels like an Edwardian Piece," director Jerry Dixon says, "But there is so much more to it than that. There's a sense of color and musicality that brings the world to life in a rich new way."

Based on the 1902 play The Admirable Crichton by J.M. Barrie, the new musical features a Book by Leslie Becker and Curtis Rhodes with Music by Curtis Rhodes, Lyrics by Leslie Becker and Additional Lyrics by Curtis Rhodes. "The show began as a faithful adaptation of the original play. But we soon realized that we were compelled to explore the story with a more modern perspective," Rhodes says. "The result is a new version of the story that resonates with today's audience, yet still honors the spirit of Barrie's work," Becker adds. "Themes of discovering one's true place in the world run throughout the show and, while filled with frivolity, we enjoy the deeper questions of whether what you are born into is really where you belong."

Broadway alum James D. Sasser takes on the role of the admirable butler, Crichton, and Lord Loam is played by Hugh Hastings (Snapshots). Other island castaways include Randy Scholz (My Fair Lady), David Caldwell, Chelsea LeValley, Sarah Bordenet (The Sound of Music), Krista Curry, and Sophia Franzella. Rounding out the ensemble are Nathan Brockett, Karen Skrinde, Andrew Eric Davison, Matt Wolfe, Marissa Ryder, BRyan Tramontana, Jessi Little, and Michael Krenning.

Back in the director's chair is Jerry Dixon (Show Boat, The Full Monty), joined by Choreographer Kathryn Van meter (My Fair Lady), and Resident Music Director Tim Symons with Orchestrations by Bruce Monroe. Carey Wong (My Heart is the Drum) will take on two vastly different worlds through set design, with Melanie Taylor Burgess (No Way to Treat a Lady) designing costumes and Alex Berry (Billy Elliot) on lighting design. Finally, the show's sonic landscape will be created by Brent Warwick.

A Proper Place is on stage in Issaquah March 16 - April 23, 2017 before moving to Village Theatre's Everett Location from April 28 - May 21, 2017. The production is sponsored in part by ArtsFund, Microsoft, The Seattle Times, 4Culture, The Shubert Foundation, United, Snohomish County hotel-motel tax fund, MarsJewett, Spectrum Controls, Black Label, Lombardi's, Pogacha, City of Everett, City of Issaquah, and KSER.

About Village Theatre

Based in Issaquah, Wash., with operations in Everett, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining, quality productions since 1979 Village Theatre has grown into one of the region's best attended Equity theatres, with over 20,000 Subscribers and 200,000 projected total attendance each season. Through its Village Originals program, Village Theatre is national recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals, having launched over 150 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow's audiences through its youth education programs, Pied Pier and KIDSTAGE, serving over 60,000 young people, families, and schools annually.

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