Village Theatre Pulls Out All the Stops for the Season Finale Production of DREAMGIRLS

Village Theatre closes out their season with the dynamic R&B spectacular Dreamgirls. With an extraordinary cast of vocal talents, slick costumes, and set designs custom built in Issaquah, Dreamgirls continues the theatre's path of raising the bar on production quality with each passing year. Audiences will be transported back to the 1960s as this award-winning musical offers a moving behind-the-scenes look of the entertainment business. "I am so excited to be doing such an epic show with some of the most amazing people I've ever worked with," says director, Steve Tomkins. "The whole audition process was just wonderful, as each person came into the room and blew the roof off. I can't wait for opening night, because this cast is just going to send it through the roof again. They are truly outstanding."

Taking on the role of Effie is Angela Birchett. New to Village Theatre's stage, Angela comes straight from The Color Purple on Broadway and lends her pipes to epic songs like, "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Am Changing". Joining her isLauren Du Pree (My Heart Is the Drum) as Deena, Alexandria Henderson (In the Heights) as Lorrell, John Devereaux(RENT 20th Anniversary National Tour) as Curtis, Nathaniel Tenebaum as Jimmy, Charles Simmons as C.C., Ty Willis as Marty, and Joell Weil as Michelle. Rounding out the ensemble is Angelica Barksdale, Philip Bolton, Eric Dobson, Davione Gordon, Jalá Harper, Erin Hyatt, Jelani Kee, Richard Peacock, Shatirah sha Rolle, Sarah Russell, Jimmy Shields, Jesse Smith, Chandler Thomas, Lydia Weir, Bethanie Willis, and Shelby Willis.

Steve Tomkins (Singin' in the Rain, Billy Elliot) will be directing this powerhouse musical, with Choreography by Daniel Cruz (In the Heights), Music Direction by R.J. Tancioco (Pump Boys and Dinettes), and Timothy McCuen Piggee as Associate Director. Karen Ledger (My Heart is the Drum, Funny Girl) works with the costume shop to pull together one of the largest shows the theatre has ever done with over 230 individual costumes. "I am thrilled to be designing for the visually stunning world the creative team has developed," says Ledger. "I think this may be the first time I've ever gone into a fitting and thought the sparkle might be a bit much on a piece and we need to pull it back." David Sumner takes on the scenic design, working together with lighting designer Tom Sturge to create a sleek environment full of surprises. Brett Warwick (sound design), and Nick Heggestad (prop master) will complete the package to ensure audiences are transported back to the 1960s.

Experience all the onstage joy and backstage drama as an up-and-coming girl group learns hard lessons about love, trust, and what it takes to get to the top. Dreamgirls is onstage in Issaquah May 11 - July 2, 2017 before moving to Village Theatre's Everett location from July 7 - 30, 2017. The production is sponsored in part by ArtsFund, Microsoft, The Seattle Times, 4Culture, The Shubert Foundation, United, Snohomish Country hotel-motel tax fund, Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Private Bank & Wells Fargo Middle Market Banking, Black Label, Lombardi's, Pogacha, Klein Honda, Epulo Bistro, Holland America Line, City of Everett, and City of Issaquah.

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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