Girl of My Dreams, an Old-Fashioned Book Musical About the USO, Plays Pacific Northwest
By Kenneth Jones
31 Jan 2006
Village Theatre, the Seattle area company committed to developing new musicals, will present the spring West Coast premiere of Girl of My Dreams, billed as "an entirely new 1940s book musical featuring original songs inspired by USO acts of the era."
Girl of My Dreams "is a throwback to the traditional book musical with long soaring melodies and a neo-romantic score evocative of the 1940s that retain the charm of the period," according to Village Theatre.
Music is by Peter Ekstrom, lyrics are by Steve Hayes and Peter Ekstrom and book and additional lyrics are by David DeBoy.
Steve Tomkins will direct and choreograph, with musical direction by Tim Symons. The cast includes Eric Ankrim, Joshua M. Bott, Chris Clay, Taryn Darr, Hugh Hastings, Mariah Taylor, Kathryn Van Meter and David Jon Wilson.
Performances play Village's two venues: The Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA (March 15-April 23); and Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA (April 28-May 14).
The musical was developed through Village Theatre's Village Originals program. According to the Equity company, Girl of My Dreams "tells a story of a traveling USO troupe as they perform for the men and woman serving in World War II, and the lessons they learn along the way. This diverse and entertaining group of performers warms hearts and tickles funny bones—even as they confront the dangers of the war in Europe."
Before it was developed at Village Theatre, Girl of My Dreams started as an idea in 1992 and later moved through a number of workshops in New York. From there, it was developed into a full book musical at Barter Theatre in Virginia, playing in 1996, then again in 2004.
"Girl of My Dreams is a good old-fashioned book musical, a classic, which is, alas, a fading species," said Brian Yorkey, associate artistic director of Village Theatre. "It's a great form which is very hard to do and do well, and Peter, David and Steve have really nailed it."
"Following phenomenal audience response from our readings and workshops, we are thrilled to bring Girl of My Dreams to our Mainstage," Robb Hunt, executive producer for Village Theatre, said in a statement. "We are honored to have had the opportunity to work with Peter Ekstrom, Steve Hayes, and David DeBoy in bringing their vision to stage, enabling audiences in the greater Puget Sound area to see the West Coast premiere of this wonderfully unique, fun, and timely new musical."
The creative team includes scenic designer Carey Wong; lighting designer Alex Berry; and costume designer Deane Middleton.
For more information visit www.villagetheatre.org.
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