Cast Announced For Village Theatre's LOST IN YONKERS, Jennifer Lee Taylor, Suzy Hunt & More To Star

Village Theatres announces the casting of their upcoming production of the popular Neil Simon play, LOST IN YONKERS. This production will have one preview performance in Issaquah on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, and will officially open the following evening, running January 21-February 28, 2010 in downtown Issaquah, and March 5-28, 2010 in downtown Everett.

Directed by Tony Award-winner Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal), Jennifer Lee Taylor will return to Village Theatre's Mainstage as Bella. Taylor, a native of Issaquah, was last seen on the Mainstage in The Importance of Being Earnest (also directed by Yorkey), and has had turns around town with New Century Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, Intiman, Book-It Repertory, The Empty Space, and most recently at ACT in A Christmas Carol. Taylor has worked extensively as a voice over artist on radio, television, and in video games most notably Mario Brothers and the Halo Series.

Taylor is joined on stage by Suzy Hunt in the once-in-a-lifetime role of Grandma Kurnitz. Hunt last performed at Village Theatre in Noises Off in 2001. 2010 marks her 30th year in Actor's Equity. She earned her Equity Card at ACT in Greg Falls' Young ACT Company doing his adaptation of Push Cart Wars. Since then she has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, and been on stage in most of the fifty states.

Nick Robinson, age 14, makes his debut at Village Theatre in the role of Arty, the younger brother. A rising star to say the least, Robinson has been seen around town at Intiman (To Kill A Mockingbird, A Thousand Clowns), The 5th Avenue Theatre (MAME), and several seasons of A Christmas Carol at ACT. Most recently, however, Robinson filmed a pilot television series for ABC Family in Los Angeles.

Collin Morris joins the cast to take on the role of Jay, the older of the two brothers. With training done through Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE program, Morris' Village Theatre credits include To Kill A Mockingbird (Mainstage), Fairystories (Village Originals), Children of Eden, Sweeney Todd, Last Exit (KIDSTAGE). Morris has also been seen around town at The 5th Avenue Theatre and Seattle Children's Theatre. In the role of the boy's thuggish Uncle Louie is film, TV, and theatre professional, Mike Dooley. He has been seen in the feature films 28 Days and The Curse, with guest starring roles on Law and Order and Sex and the City. Around town, audiences have seen him on stage at ArtsWest (Dead Man's Cellphone), Seattle Shakespeare Company (Twelfth Night), and Capitol Hill's Balagan Theatre (Othello, Closer).

Additional cast members include Bradford Farwell as Eddie and Karen Skrinde as Gert.

Village Theatre's production of LOST IN YONKERS is directed by Brian Yorkey (Tony Award-winner); scenic design by Bill Forrester (Barefoot in the Park); lighting design by Tom Sturge (Chasing Nicolette); and costume design by Melanie Burgess (Chasing Nicolette, Stunt Girl). Pre-production photos will be available online after January 7, 2010. For more information or to schedule individual interviews, please contact Michelle Sanders, Public Relations Manager at (425) 392-1942 x124 or msanders@villagetheatre.org.

LOST IN YONKERS Synopsis:
The winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Play, and the Pulitzer Prize, Lost in Yonkers is a remarkable coming of age story. Two Young Brothers are forced to enter a dysfunctional household consisting of their formidable grandmother, their dim-witted aunt, and their Uncle Louie, a small-time thug. As comical as it is poignant, this Neil Simon masterwork is an examination of lives in an oppressive household, with a dramatic climax that is certain to leave you spellbound.

What: Lost in Yonkers
By Neil Simon

Where: In Issaquah: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027

In Everett: Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201

When: Issaquah Dates: January 21-February 28, 2010 - ON SALE NOW
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Sundays and selected Saturdays: 2:00 PM
Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

Everett Dates: March 5-28, 2010 - ON SALE: 1/27/2010
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

Tickets: Issaquah:
$19-$59, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett:
$17-$52, Box Office (425) 257-8600 or (888) 257-3722
www.villagetheatre.org
Student & Military Rush: ½ price 30 minutes prior to curtain for any available seat. Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

About Village Theatre

Based in Issaquah, WA, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining quality productions for the entire family since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the region's best-attended Equity theatres, with over 18,000 Subscribers and 170,000 projected total attendance each season. Through its Village Originals program, Village Theatre is nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals, having launched over 80 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow's audiences through its youth education programs, Pied Piper and KIDSTAGE, serving over 54,000 young people, families, and schools annually.

Village Theatre season sponsors are Continental Airlines, Microsoft, and Lombardi's

Village Theatre is also funded in part by 4Culture, ArtsFund, ArtsUnited, Axonus, City of Everett, City of Issaquah /Issaquah Arts Commission, Continental Airlines, Encore Arts Program, The Herald, Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter, KING5.com, Larkspur Landing, Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Microsoft, National Endowment for the Arts, Overlake Hospital and Medical Center, Port Blakely Communities/Issaquah Highlands, Rowley Properties, and Washington State Arts Commission. Village Theatre is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Theatre Puget Sound.

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