Traditional British Holiday Fun in Federal Way ?

Centerstage Produces Jack and the Beanstalk as a “Panto.”

Run Dates: Nov. 28 - Dec.20, 2009. (Fri-Sun)

Press Night: Sat. Nov. 28; 8:00 p.m.

Federal Way, WA – Can you really get a big heaping spoonful of traditional British holiday fun in Federal Way ? Yes indeed. For the past three seasons Centerstage’s managing artistic director, and British ex-pat, Alan Bryce has included a theatrical tradition from his homeland in the Centerstage Season –The English Pantomime (informally, panto). First with Cinderella, then with Aladdin, and now with the highly anticipated Jack and the Beanstalk this year’s Christmas Panto promises to deliver even more laughter, song and silliness than ever before.

New this year, families can incorporate a little food or drink into their holiday outing through the Dinner & A Show package with Salty’s at Redondo Beach, or the Wine with the Director night on December 5th. Choose the dinner or brunch package from Salty’s which includes a ticket to the show and either a three-course meal or a bountiful buffet all for only $50 ($18 for children under 12). This family-friendly Wine with the Director starts at 7:00 pm. It features warm and cozy mulled wine and hot chocolate along with a director chat, Q&A and cast meet n’ greet. Tickets to Wine with the Director are $10 and space is limited.

Panto is a boisterous, high energy musical designed for kids from 5 to 105 and Jack and the Beanstalk is full of painfully funny gags (many of which you have heard before), guys dressed as gals, gals dressed as guys, popular songs and glorious costumes. Audiences will marvel at the massive splendiferous giant created by Vashon Island ’s own puppeteer artists,The Zambini Brothers and this colorful production is guaranteed to brighten even the chilliest winter's day.

Three years ago Alan Bryce entered into this collaborative relationship with the "godfather” of the modern British pantomime, Paul Hendy (www.paulhendy.com); and each year Federal Way audiences have demonstrated their support and enthusiasm for the genre with a flurry of early ticket sales. Paul Hendy is thrilled to “spread the gospel of panto” through stateside collaborators like Alan Bryce. Hendy is best known as the host of England’s Wheel of Fortune but remains dedicated and passionate about growing the genre through his own company Evolution Productions. Hendy has written, directed and acted in dozens and dozens of pantos for more than 25 years. He has written over 30 scripts and his vast inventory of sets and costumes have crisscrossed the Isle from Guildford to Sheffield, over to Canterbury and back again.

Direction, costumes and sets for this production however are a purely “American Affair.” Roger Curtis directs, Eia Waltzer choreographs, Ron Leamon is designed costumes and the set/lighting designer is Craig Wollam. The cast of 15 locally-based actors, including four school-aged children, are: David Roby (Jack), Roger Curtis (Dame Trott),Melanie Moser (Fleshcreep), Rosalie Hilburn (Fairy), Scott Polovitch Davis (Billy) Alicia Mendez (Jill) and Dale Bowers (King),Tracy Lewis, Rian Wilson, Meghan Derr, Hannah Smith, Lesley Lemon, Ellis Cox-McAllister, Natalia Efremova, and Olivia Roberts.

Jack and the Beanstalk is part of the discounted 5-show Season Pass which is on sale now. Single tickets for all 15 performances are on sale now and available by phone, (253) 661-1444, online at www.centerstagetheatre.com, and in person at the Knutzen Family Theater box office. Single tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors, military, students 18 & over with ID; and $10 for youth 17 & under. $17 tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. All shows are performed at the Knutzen Family Theatre and are general admission. There are 4 performances a week on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm plus a Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm.