Play It By Heart Musical Makes World Premiere March 17

By Andrew Gans
17 Mar 2005

The world premiere of Play It By Heart — a new musical by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and R.T. Robinson — opens March 17 at the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA.

Billed as "a new country musical," Play It By Heart features music by Spangler and Taylor; lyrics by Spangler, Taylor and Robinson; and a book by Brian Yorkey. Steve Tomkins directs and choreographs with musical direction by Tim Symons. The limited engagement will play through April 24.

The company features Gail Bliss as Jasper, Sharva Maynard as Naomi Jasper, John Patrick Lowrie as Buck Jasper, Doug Barry as Davey/Doctor, Vicki Noon as Debbie Dean, Garrett Michael Brown as Robbie Wilkins, Dennis Bateman as Lyle Mount, Joshua M. Bott as Ari Gold, Katie E. Tomlinson as Jamie Lynn Jasper and Jim Gall as Billy Tucker.

Play It By Heart, according to production notes, concerns "the country's reigning queen of country music [who] struggles to stay true to the music she loves in a changing world. Her meddling mother and her up and-coming pop-star sister challenge her at every turn . . . but a secret from their past will change all of their lives forever."

The Village Theatre's Francis J. Gaudette Theatre is located at 303 Front Street North in Issaquah, WA. Tickets, priced $32-$45, are available by calling the theatre's box office at (425) 392-2202. For more information visit www.villagetheatre.org.