Village Theatre has announced the casting for “It Shoulda Been You,” the second new musical production in its 2011-2012 Mainstage Season.
Actors include Seattle stalwarts including Leslie Law, John Patrick Lowrie, and Jayne Muirhead; John Dewar, member of the original Broadway cast of “Les Misérables”; and up-and-coming local actors Joshua Carter, Aaron Finley and Diana Huey.
Tickets are on sale now for the musician, which previews on Wednesday, March 14; opening night is Thursday, March 15.
Written by Brian Hargrove and Barbara Anselmi, “It Shoulda Been You” was last seen by Village Theatre audiences as a reading at the Village Originals 10th Annual Festival of New Musicals in 2010. The 2012 Mainstage production marks the returns of many Festival cast members.
Law returns to Village Theatre as Judy Steinberg, the Jewish mother of the bride, after a turn in the new musical “Take Me America” earlier this season. A Village Theatre favorite, Law has been in seen in many Mainstage productions including “42nd Street” (Maggie), “Show Boat” (Parthy), and “The Full Monty” (Dolores).
Seattle area credits include productions at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Seattle Children’s Theatre.
Vocal powerhouse Kat Ramsburg, last seen at Village Theatre in the Festival reading of “It Shoulda Been You,” returns to the role of lovable Jenny Steinberg, sister to the bride. In Seattle, Ramsburg has been seen in “Mame” (Gooch) and “Sweeney Todd” at The 5th Avenue Theatre, as well as at Seattle Children’s Theatre.
Broadway vet Dewar returns to the Village Theatre Mainstage after a successful run in the 2011 new musical production of “Iron Curtain.” Dewar has been seen in the original Broadway cast of “Les Misérables” as Joly, on Broadway in “Phantom of the Opera” as Monsier Reyer, the national tour of “Beauty and the Beast” as Monsieur D’Arque, on NBC’s “Law & Order,” and more.
Local rising talent Carter returns to the Mainstage after a successful performance as Mortimer in ACT Theatre’s acclaimed production of “Mary Stuart.” He has been seen at Village Theatre in “The Full Monty” and “The Gypsy King”; other credits include Das Barbecu at ACT Theatre and “Guys and Dolls” at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Local actor/vocalists Finley and Huey return to the Mainstage after performing earlier this season in Village Theatre’s new musical “Take Me America.” Finley appeared in the 2010 Festival reading of “It Shoulda Been You” and will take on a new role in the Mainstage production; a role director Jon Kretzu says “fits him better.” Village Theatre audiences may remember his tenor pipes from Village Theatre’s acclaimed production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” where he rotated between the roles of Jesus and Judas.
“It Shoulda Been You” marks Huey’s second Mainstage appearance. With a number of Village Originals readings under her belt (“In Your Eyes” and “Rocket Science”), Huey has been seen around Seattle in productions at Balagan Theatre (“Spring Awakening”) and Contemporary Classics (“Zanna Don’t!” and “The Yellow Wood”). Her TV/Film credits include TNT’s “Leverage, “The Glee Project,” and New Day Northwest (theme song singer). Both performers have made appearances in Seattle’s own New Voices showcase produced by Contemporary Classics.
“It Shoulda Been You” is directed by Jon Kretzu (Festival reading of “It Shoulda Been You”); music directed by Tim Symons (“Jesus Christ Superstar”); scenic design by Carey Wong (“AIDA”); lighting design by Don Crossley; costume design by Melanie Burgess (“Sleuth,” “42nd Street”); sound design by Brent Warwick (“Annie Get Your Gun”).
“It Shoulda Been You” will be performed at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah from March 14 through April 22. Tickets are $22-$62 and available by calling the Box Office at 425- 392-2202.
More information is available at villagetheatre.org.
