The Fantasticks

MIRANDA ANTOINETTE, she/her (Luisa) is thrilled to make her onstage debut at Village. Highlights include: Rapunzel in Into the Woods, Swing in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Betty Haynes U/S in White Christmas (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Sally in This is Halloween (Can Can Culinary Cabaret); Louise in The Hello Girls and Penelope in See How They Run (Taproot Theatre). For BlueWave Band, Memphis Belles, media and more, follow @mirandasforbiddensongbook. Thank you sponsor, CFIII.

ANTHONY CURRY, he/him (Henry) is thrilled to be returning to Village Theatre’s stage. He was last at Village in Terezin, La Cage Aux Folles, and Bell, Book and Candle. Over the last 35 years, he has performed at many of Seattle’s theatres including The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and The Empty Space. Curry is most proud of his work as the Writing Mentor for Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE Originals program.

MARK EMERSON, he/him (Mortimer, Bellomy U/S). Village Theatre: Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Mamma Mia!, She Loves Me, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The 5th Avenue Theatre: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. National Tours: The Phantom of the Opera. London: Angels in America (Lyric Hammersmith). Regional: Sunday in the Park with George (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); Merton of the Movies (Dorset Theatre Festival). TV: “The Late Late Show with James Corden”. BS: Northwestern University; MFA: UCSD. Much love to Jake & Family! markemersonactor.com

HUGH HASTINGS, he/him (Bellomy) has often appeared at Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Children’s Theatre as well as Seattle Shakespeare Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, and many others. Hugh has been a proud member of Actor’s Equity for over 35 years. He would like to thank his wife Connie for...everything.

KAWIKA HUSTON, he/him (Matt) was last seen at Village Theatre as Prince Christopher U/S and Ensemble in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Recent: Prince Eric U/S in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the Educational Touring Company (The 5th Avenue Theatre); the staged reading of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Tacoma Arts Live). Other favorite roles include Rum Tum Tugger in Cats and Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. J, always. @kawikahuston

LISA KWAK, she/her (The Mute, Dance Captain). Credits: Hello, Dolly!, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Village Theatre), Afterwords (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Lisa holds a BA from the University of Washington, and has danced works by Camille A Brown, Etienne Cakpo, Alyza Delpan-Monley, Leslie Kraus, David Rousseve, Shapiro & Smith, and new works with the Chamber Dance Company, PRICEarts, the Guild Dance Company, Dani Tirrell and the Congregation, and the Three Yells. Lisa was a 2021 Village Theatre Northwest Creator Resident. lkwak.com

ROBERT SHAMPAIN, he/him (Hucklebee) is thrilled to be debuting at Village in this great first Immerwahr-chosen season! He has acted and directed in New York, Seattle, LA, and the UK as well as many regional theatres. Some favorites: The Light in the Piazza (Dir. Bart Sher), Inman (Dir. Sir Jonathan Miller), The Odyssey (Dir. Mary Zimmerman), Temple (Dir. Gabriel Barre); and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (UK revival). He was a recurring guest star on “Z-Nation” and did lots of other film/TV and theatre during 11 years in LA. Smartest thing he ever did: marrying Wendy 20 years ago and having Noah and Emma.

MICHAEL SHARON, (El Gallo) returns to Village Theatre for the first time since beginning his professional career here as Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees. Favorite subsequent roles include El Gallo (Off-Broadway; Dir. Tom Jones), Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Don Quixote (BroadwayWorld Award), Emile DeBecque, and Captain Von Trapp (Carbonell Award nom.) at theaters including Folger Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Shakespeare Theatre D.C., New York City Opera, and nine seasons at the Oregon and Utah Shakespeare Festivals.

KOOPER CAMPBELL, he/him (Matt U/S) is so excited to be back at Village Theatre. Most recent credits include: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Titianish (Seattle Public Theatre), and A Charlie Brown Christmas (Taproot Theatre). Kooper graduated with a BFA in music dance theatre from Brigham Young University and an MA in arts administration from Southern Utah University. He sends his love to Juliette and Toodles. koopercampbell.com

JEFF CHURCH, he/him (Hucklebee U/S, Henry U/S) is excited to return to Village Theatre. Previously seen in Disney’s Mary Poppins and 12 or so magical moments dating back to On the Town in 1997. Recent work includes Sunset Boulevard (Showtunes Theatre Company), The Hello Girls (Taproot Theatre), and set design for Reboot Theatre’s 2023 production of 110 in the Shade.

JULIA KUZMICH, she/her (Luisa U/S, The Mute U/S) is thrilled to join Village Theatre after graduating from Ohio University in 2023 with a BFA in musical theatre and a certificate of performing arts health and wellness. She has performed at The Utah Shakespeare Festival and Milwaukee Rep. Her favorite roles include Natasha in The Great Comet of 1812, Liesl in The Sound of Music, and Ensemble in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. IG: @julia.kuzmich

CASEY RAIHA, he/him (El Gallo U/S, Mortimer U/S) was last seen at Village Theatre as Barry Mann U/S in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical this season, and earlier seasons as Rob U/S in The Book Club Play and Sergei in Matilda. Other local credits: Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into the Woods (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and the title role in Indy Jones and the Raiders of the Last Temple of the Doomed Ark (Seattle Public Theatre). “Love to Meagan and the folks!” CaseyRaihaVO.com

ADAM IMMERWAHR, (Director) serves as Artistic Director of Village Theatre, where he is responsible for season selection and oversees the artistic, education, and production departments. He recently directed Village’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. He previously served as Artistic Director of Theater J, the Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre, and the Resident Director of Passage Theatre. Adam’s producing credits include new works by Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, Danai Gurira, Fiasco Theater, Will Power, Stephen Wadsworth, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Ken Ludwig, several of which have transferred to Broadway or off-Broadway. As a director, Adam’s work has been seen from Aspen to Zimbabwe, including at some of the top theaters in the country: The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, McCarter Theater, Cleveland Play House, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, Theater J, Passage Theater, Hangar Theater, Bristol Riverside, and many others. He serves on the Board of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and is an inaugural member of the Drama League Director’s Council.

KATY TABB, she/her (Choreographer) is honored to return to Village Theatre after previously choreographing: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Mamma Mia!, Singin’ in the Rain, Billy Elliot, ZM, and Disney’s Newsies (Gregory Award recipient). Katy’s work as a director and choreographer has been presented at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Olney Theatre Center in Washington, D.C., Seattle Symphony, Cornish College of the Arts, The Triple Door, Taproot Theatre, Showtunes Theatre Company, and numerous Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE productions. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

TIM SYMONS, he/him (Music Director). Credits: Songs for a New World, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hart Island, Into the Woods, Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who’s Tommy (Village Theatre); Rock of Ages, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Assassins (ACT Theatre); Man of La Mancha, Xanadu (Arizona Theatre Company). Original scores for Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Village Theatre. Resident Music Supervisor for Village Theatre since 2005. Former KIDSTAGE kid. Love to Taylor, Cedar, and Winslow!

PARMIDA ZIAEI, she/her (Set Designer) is an Iranian multidisciplinary artist and designer and the co-founder of Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble. Parmida has been a scenic and production designer with many Seattle theaters including Village Theatre (Sense and Sensibility), ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, ArtsWest, Seattle Public Theater, among others. When not designing, Parmida performs, choreographs, and teaches as a movement artist. Parmida has been the recipient of multiple residencies including the 2022 Northwest Creator Residency at Village Theatre. parmidaziaei.com

ESTHER GARCIA, she/her (Costume Designer / Costume Director) has designed for opera, modern dance, theater, and burlesque, including Village Theatre’s She Loves Me, Million Dollar Quartet, and the most recent production of Hello, Dolly! Esther has a BFA from the University of Oregon with an emphasis in costume design. She has designed for Taproot Theatre, Eugene Opera, Lord Leebrick Theater, Lane Community College Theater and Dance Department, and the University of Oregon School of Music. Favorite designs include Hello, Dolly!, She Loves Me, Million Dollar Quartet, Pagliacci, Carmen, A Little Night Music, and HMS Pinafore.

GEOFF KORF, (Lighting Designer) has designed lighting for more than three hundred productions including 108 world premieres. Notable world premieres have included August Wilson’s Two Trains Running directed by Lloyd Richards, Disney’s High School Musical directed by Peter Rothstein, and Larissa Fasthorse’s Urban Rez directed by Michael John Garcés. Geoff is a member of the Ensemble of Cornerstone Theater, and a graduate of California State University, Chico and the Yale School of Drama.

DARRON L WEST, he/him (Sound Designer) is a Tony and Obie Award-winning sound designer whose 30-year career spans theater and dance, Broadway and Off-Broadway. His work has been heard in more than 600 productions all over the United States and internationally in 15 countries. Additional honors include the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Audelco, and Princess Grace Foundation Statue Award. Thirty-year company member designing the productions of Anne Bogart’s SITI company.

NATE DENDY, (Magic & Illusion Designer). A magician, actor, and designer, Dendy has most recently created magic for the Broadway revival of Sondheim’s Company. He has also designed magic for NETFLIX, and for Penn & Teller. Off-Broadway credits include: Prairie du Chien (Atlantic Theater Company), and Derren Brown’s Secret (Atlantic Theater Company). Regional credits include: The Tempest (American Repertory Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, South Coast Rep); The Fantasticks (Arena Stage, Trinity Rep, South Coast Rep); Angels in America (Risk Theater Initiative); and Dracula (Cincinnati Playhouse). He also appears on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (CW Network). Dendy has received a Jeff Award nomination and two Helen Hayes Award nominations for his stage work as an actor. Follow him on Instagram @natedendy.

MIRANDA C. PRATT, she/her (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working on this show with this amazing team! Miranda is also grateful to be serving as the theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. She has worked on a number of shows at Village since 2014, including Dreamgirls, Matilda the Musical, Songs for a New World, and Cabaret. In her spare time, Miranda also tries to stage manage for The 14/48 Projects whenever possible and loves lifting heavy things. All the love to Chris and Odin.

ANNIKA EVENS, (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be back at Village Theatre. Some favorite credits include: Sense and Sensibility (Village Theatre), The Prom (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE); Merry Wives of Windsor (Seattle Shakespeare Company); Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Wise Kids of Chelm (Youth Theatre Northwest); Matilda the Musical, Hamlet (New London Barn Playhouse); and KÀ (Cirque du Soleil). Annika is a graduate from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in stage and production management.

ADAM IMMERWAHR, (Artistic Director) See bio above.

LAURA LEE, (Managing Director) began her tenure with Village Theatre in July 2022 and is responsible for the marketing, fundraising, patron services, operations–facilities & IT, human resources, and the finances of Village Theatre. She strives to keep the care and comfort of her board, staff, artists, volunteers, patrons, and donors at the top of her mind each day. She previously served as the Managing Director of Seattle’s ArtsWest for 10 years.

In addition to her theatre work, Laura is the founder of Production Sports, and was the first to bring elite, international, network-televised events to Everett, WA, working with U.S. Figure Skating, USA Gymnastics, USA Diving, and the Seattle and Snohomish Sports Commissions. Laura serves on the Lodging Tax Advisory Board of the City of Issaquah and is a supporter of the Mayors and Business Leaders for Public Safety.

 Laura resides in Monroe, WA, with her husband and her dog. She is a mother of four children, who are now grown and flown.

TOM JONES, (Book and Lyrics) and HARVEY SCHMIDT, (Composer). Composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones are the legendary writing team best known for shaping the American musical landscape with their 1960 hit, The Fantasticks. After its Off-Broadway opening in May 1960, it went on to become the longest-running production in the history of the American stage and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world.

Their first Broadway show, 110 in the Shade, was revived on Broadway in a new production starring Audra MacDonald. I Do! I Do!, their two-character musical starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston, was a success on Broadway and is frequently done around the country. For several years Jones and Schmidt worked privately at their theatre workshop, concentrating on small-scale musicals in new and often untried forms. The most notable of these efforts were Celebration, which moved to Broadway, and Philemon, which won an Outer Critics Circle Award. They contributed incidental music and lyrics to the Off-Broadway play Colette starring Zoe Caldwell, then later did a full-scale musical version under the title Colette Collage. The Show Goes On, a musical revue featuring their theatre songs and starring Jones and Schmidt, was presented at the York Theatre, and Mirette, their musical based on the award-winning children’s book, was premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. In addition to an Obie Award and the 1992 Special Tony Award for The Fantasticks, Jones and Schmidt were inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre, and on May 3, 1999, their ‘stars’ were added to the Off-Broadway Walk of Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Then in 2012, Jones and Schmidt were honored by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Harvey Schmidt passed away on February 28, 2018. Tom Jones passed away on August 11, 2023.

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ArtsFund is proud to support Village Theatre’s mission as they continue to produce dynamic programming that highlights innovative artists in the Pacific Northwest. ArtsFund’s support of local arts organizations is only possible through the contributions of donors in this community, and we are immensely grateful to the generous individuals and businesses who have supported ArtsFund as well as Village Theatre. We will continue to support arts organizations, like Village Theatre, that elevate the voices of Washington state through our leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking programs. We are excited to see what will be performed throughout this season!

The Boeing Company is committed to improving the quality of life within the communities where our employees live and work. Our Global Engagement programs implement Boeing’s philanthropy through local charitable investments, volunteerism, employee drives, personal giving, disaster response, and other integrated programs. Boeing is proud to be a supporter of Village Theatre’s productions and musical theatre education programs, and we are pleased to welcome you back to live theatre. Enjoy the show!

Microsoft is pleased to sponsor Village Theatre’s 2023-2024 Season, and to welcome you to the production of The Fantasticks. Village Theatre is a favorite among our employees and their families, and we are delighted to support a vibrant community arts organization that brings high quality entertainment to the Eastside. We encourage employee engagement and volunteerism in the community throughout the year and through support of great organizations like Village Theatre, we aim to foster a strong community culture where the arts will thrive for generations to come. Enjoy the show!