Musical Comedy-Fantasy VANISHING POINT Asks: 'Whatever Happened To Amelia Earhart?'

Seattle Public Theater rings in the new year with the fourth production of its 2017-18 Season with the musical comedy-fantasy Vanishing Point. Aviatrix Amelia Earhart, evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, and author Agatha Christie all have one thing in common: they were women who vanished mysteriously. Christie walked out of her life in 1926 and was discovered at a hotel 11 days later with no recollection of what happened. The same year, McPherson claimed to have been kidnapped for a period of several weeks, but it was later alleged that she staged her disappearance to cover up a tryst with her lover. Earhart vanished over the Atlantic Ocean during a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937 and was never found. Vanishing Point brings these three women together as they solve the mystery of their disappearances from their own lives.

"Many people think they know all about Amelia Earhart," says director Annie Lareau, who also serves as one of Seattle Public Theater's two co-artistic directors. "They picture Agatha Christie in her later years from her book covers. More than likely only a few know of Aimee Semple McPherson, but will have preconceived ideas of what makes up an evangelist. These women were embarking on an adventure and following their true calling, and in doing so paid a heavy price. How is it that women face a steeper price when they forgo what is expected of them to follow their passion? There is also the metaphorical question this musical asks about aging and vanishing: When your worth is judged by the physical assets you possess in your youth, what is the emotional experience as that youth fades - which it does for all of us - and you begin to 'vanish' in the eyes of society?"

Written by Rob Hartmann and Liv Cummins, with music by Hartmann, Vanishing Point began its life as a one-act musical conceived and written by Scott Keys, with music by composer Deborah Wicks LaPuma, in the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at New York University. Keys later went on to partner with Hartmann to produce several different iterations of the musical at Porchlight Music Theater in Chicago and West Coast Ensemble in Los Angeles. During a workshop of the piece at The Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, Keys and Hartmann were introduced to Cummins, who was also a graduate of the NYU program.

For the workshop, Cummins and Hartmann rewrote the script again from scratch. The result was an entirely new show that went on have several more productions, concerts, and readings across the country before eventually landing at Seattle Public Theater in Seattle.

"It has always been our hope that Vanishing Point would prove to be a work that could be a showpiece for a director, cast and design team," says Hartmann. "Although we have specific ideas about the meaning and intent of the book and the songs, we do not intend to prescribe any particular way of interpreting, staging or designing the show. In its life so far, it has had many different directors, each of whom brought a unique point of view to the piece. It has had many different production styles. Nothing is more exciting than the alchemy of artists bringing their talents to bear on a work, and producing something new."

The cast for Vanishing Point features Cristin J. Hubbard (Amelia Earhart), Rebecca M. Davis (Agatha Christie), and Heather Hawkins (Aimee Semple McPherson). The design team includes Andrea Bush (scenic), Harry Todd Jamieson (sound), Kelly McDonald (costumes), Kristi Matthews (lighting), Robin Macartney (props), and Ahren Buhmann (projections). Jeff Caldwell serves as the Music Director for the production. Rachel Miller will stage manage.

PERFORMANCES
Preview: Thursday, January 25th, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Opening Night: Friday, January 26th, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 27th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, January 28th, 2018 @ 2pm

Thursday, February 1st, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Friday, February 2nd, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, February 4th, 2018 @ 2pm

Thursday, February 8th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Friday, February 9th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, February 10th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, February 11th, 2018 @ 2pm

Thursday, February 15th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Friday, February 16th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, February 17th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, February 18th, 2018 @ 2pm

Thursday, February 22nd, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Friday, February 23rd, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, February 24th, 2018 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, February 25th, 2018 @ 2pm

ABOUT SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER

Seattle Public Theater produces compelling and socially relevant theater to spark conversation and ignite empathy in order to foster an intellectually curious and inclusive world. Every year, Seattle Public Theater produces six shows as part of its professional Mainstage season at its location in Green Lake in addition to its robust education program and community events.

Photo by Julia Nardin.

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