Village Theatre is kicking off its 2018-19 season with the world premiere of “The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes” by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond.
This production will be directed by Village Theatre associate artistic director, Brandon Ivie and choreographer Al Blackstone, who was recently nominated for an Emmy for his work on the television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” according to a press release.
“The Truman Show” meets “Spamalot” in this new musical comedy where ordinary Howard Barnes is thrust into an all-singing, all-dancing quest.
“I’ve been working with the writers on this show here at Village for over four years,” Ivie said in the release. “It truly is one of the most hilarious shows I have ever been a part of. I am so excited to share this show with our patrons.”
Village Theatre audiences may remember “Howard Barnes” from the 2013 Festival of New Musicals and a 2014 developmental production.
“This journey has been an absolute blast,” said writers Kooman and Dimond in the release. “The general conceit of the show has allowed us to pay homage to what we love about musical theatre, poke fun at some of its sillier elements, and ultimately celebrate it as an art form. It’s been a true joy to watch it come to life.”
Joining Ivie and Blackstone on the production team are music director R.J. Tancioco, scenic designer Christopher Mumaw, orchestrator Michael Pettry, lighting designer Aaron Copp and costume designer Rose Pederson.
Joshua Carter will bring the character of Howard to life. He will be joined by Taryn Darr, Jeff Steitzer, Jasmine Jean Sim, Richard Peacock, Paul Flanagan, John David Scott, Greg McCormick Allen, Nick DeSantis, Sarah Russell, Brenna Wagner, Kate E. Cook and Mallory King, as well as the Village Theatre mainstage debuts of Alex Crozier, Hannah Schuerman and Danielle Kelsey.
Can Howard escape? Or will he be trapped with singing orphans and dancing cats… forever? Equal parts satire, romantic comedy and love letter to the American musical, “Howard Barnes” will be onstage in Issaquah Sept. 13 to Oct. 21 before moving to Village Theatre’s Everett location from Oct. 26 to Nov. 18.
