FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE April 14th, 2015 CONTACT:Laura Campbell centerstagetheatre@yahoo.com253 661 1444Press Photos: http://www.centerstagetheatre.com Centerstage presents FORALL THATAMAJOR NEW MUSICALMay 1st – 24th TheStory OnJuly 1st, 1916, British and French forces attacked entrenched Germanpositions astride the River Somme in rural northeastern France. It was abeautiful summer’s day. By nightfall that evening, the British army hadsuffered 60,000 casualties, most of those in the first hour. It remains thebloodiest day in the history of the British Army. Going over in the secondattacking wave at 9:00am, was a regiment drawn largely from the Scottish Isleof Lewis: The 2nd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. Their storyhas been largely forgotten - obscured by horrific sacrifices that surroundedthem. Nonetheless, by roll call at noon that day, half of the 800 Seaforth men hadfallen. WhenCenterstage Artistic Director Alan Bryce came across their storywhile reading the Seaforth’s War Diary of that day, being a Scot – and aplaywright - he resolved to tell the tale onstage. The result is a major newmusical: For All That. “It’s morethan just a war story,” said Alan Bryce. “It’s a love story…about two brotherswho both loved the same woman. But it has to be more than that, too. July 1st1916 was a seminal day in the history of western civilization. It was a daywhen the old world died forever, when the young men who fought and survived thecarnage of the Somme began to question the world that had raised and nurturedthem. It’s my thesis that the twentieth century began on July 1st,1916.” Background AlanBryce spent the summer of 2013 in Europe. He visited the Somme Battlefield,researched extensively at the Imperial War Museum, spoke to leading historiansof the period. He interviewed scholars, soldiers, ministers and musicians. Hespent several days in the Seaforth Highlanders’ regimental archive at FortGeorge in Inverness, Scotland. And finally, he spent two weeks on the Isle ofLewis, submerging himself in the culture and history of that beautiful island.   The CreativeTeam Alancontacted his old friend, Karen Archer, a member of The Royal ShakespeareCompany and bluntly asked “who is the best young director in London?” Without hesitation,Ms. Archer recommended Eleanor Rhode, who was nominated for “Best DirectorOff-West End in 2013” and as we write, is waiting to see if her production of “Toast”will win her the Affiliate Theatres Olivier Award (London’s equivalent of aTony). To arrange and compose the music, Bryce selected 5-time Grammy nominee,John Forster, who has a Broadway show and two off-Broadway shows to his name…notto mention hits he has written for artists as diverse as Judy Collins, RoseanneCash and Faith Hill. The Cast Thecasting process took several months – stretching from September 2014 through Marchof this year. Ms. Rhode and John Forster attended the first round of auditionsin person and subsequent rounds were held by Skype or through recordings andforwarded to the director in London and the composer in New York. Playing thecentral character of Mairi is Katherine Jett, who will next appear in Godspell at Taproot theatre. Playing thetwo brothers are Cooper Harris-Turner and Joshua Williamson. Featured in themany ensemble roles (in a cast of 19) are Seattle stalwarts Kate Witt, AllanArmstrong, Simon Pringle, Jamie Pederson and many others. The set is designedby Craig Wollam, with costumes by Janessa Jayne Styck, lighting by ChristinaBarrigan and music direction by Josh Zimmerman. Reservations ForAll That runs May 1st through 21st. Performances Fridaysand Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm. There are 2:00pm matinees on May 14thand 23rd. Ticketsare $30 adults; $25 for seniors and military; $10 for 25 years and younger. Forspecial deals, patrons can call the Box office at 253 661 1444. Tickets mayalso be purchased online at www.centerstagetheatre.com  CENTERSTAGE isFederal Way’s resident Theatre Company. It was founded in 1977. The company hasproduced shows at the Knutzen Family Theatre on the shores of Puget Sound since1998. Artistic Director Alan Bryce is committed to producing “innovative,accomplished productions of popular work and for new work with the widestpossible audience appeal.” In April 2009, the City of Federal Way awardedCenterstage the contract to manage the Knutzen Family Theatre. The contract wasrenewed in April 2012 and again this year. END