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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2010 CONTACT: Jennifer Rice, Rice Public Relations LLC Rice1234@yahoo.com; (206) 285-5175 Press Photos Available to Download: http://www.centerstagetheatre.com/press.html Centerstage’s Utterly Beguiling Spring Production, Enchanted April. Escape to Another Time and Place. The Antidote for the Tax Season Blues! Run Dates: March 26–April 11, 2010. (Fri-Sun) Press Night: Fri. March 26; 8:00 p.m. “Were it only that some enchantment would step in for us all, to change what we have into what we wish for. To bridge the awkward gap between all of our many befores and afters.” - Elizabeth von Armin, Enchanted April 1921 Federal Way, WA– Centerstage’s managing artistic director Alan Bryce made the decision to produce the utterly beguiling stage version of Elizabeth von Armin’s best selling 1921 novel, Enchanted April, at a time when the South Sound’s own enchanting flora are at their peak. The play’s thematic components of gentle feminism, love and self-discovery are universal and engaging; and its ability to transport audiences back to another time and place makes the show the perfect antidote to the tax season blues. A brief escape to a secluded Italian castle on the Mediterranean coast is just what the doctor ordered. Enchanted Aprilwas adapted for the screen twice; first in 1935 and again in 1992. The later film version starred Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Alfred Molina and Josie Lawrence and went on to receive multiple Oscar nominations and other industry awards. Enchanted April is a bittersweet comedy set just after WWI, the war to end all wars. Over one million young men failed to return home to England after the War leaving their young wives and sweethearts alone. Lotty and three of her dissimilar female acquaintances band together during this difficult time for a month-long holiday at an Italian villa on the Mediterranean. All four ladies are disenchanted and in need of a change. It is in Italy, amidst the wisteria blossoms and Mediterranean seascape that the women bloom again – in surprising and delightful ways. The magical allure of this charming story extends to its equally charming local cast members. It’s a rare treat to see actors who are married in real life portray fictional married couple(s) on stage. Eva Doak andDean Wilson met years on the Knutzen Theatre stage when Centerstage produced Rumors. Now happily married, the acting duo will play Enchanted April’s own leading couple Lotty and Mellersh Wilton. Caitlin Frances returns to Centerstage as Rose Arnott. She recently played Ellie in Centerstage’s world premiere musical, Carl Sagan’s CONTACT. Other Centerstage favorites performing in Enchanted April include: Hilary Heinz, Jamie Pederson, Walayn Sharples and Rosalie Hilburn. This is Daniel Wood’s first Centerstage production and he plays Caitlin Frances’s on stage husband, Frederick Arnott. Unlike Eva Doak andDean Wilson, they are not married in real life! Enchanted April is directed by Cynthia White. Audiences may remember other productions she’s directed for Centerstage Rumors, Nicholas Nickleby: The Musical and Robin Hood:The Legend Continues. There’s lots of ways to enjoy this affordable “Staycation” with friends and family. On opening weekend (March 26 – 28) if you buy three tickets at regular price to any one of the first four performances, you receive the fourth ticket FREE! Salty’s at Redondo Beach continues their very successful Dinner & A Show package which includes a ticket to the show and either a three-course meal or a bountiful buffet all for only $50. Make reservations through Salty’s at Redondo Beach (253) 945-8248. Wine with the Director night is Saturday April 3rd and features wines by Mount Baker Vineyard and Winery. Centerstage patrons meet with the show's director at 7:00pm for wine and hors d'oeuvres in the lobby of the Knutzen Family Theatre. The Director will give a short presentation on the show and a general audience Q&A follows the performance. Tickets to Wine with the Director are $10 and include a glass of wine. Single tickets for all 12 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; $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. ABOUT CENTERSTAGE Centerstage is Federal Way ’s resident Theatre Company. It was founded in 1977 and since 1998 has produced shows at the Knutzen Family Theatre on the shores of Puget Sound . Initially created as a performance conservatory for aspiring actors, Centerstage’s mission has expanded and is now committed to producing “innovative, accomplished productions of popular work and for new work with the widest possible audience appeal.” Hits like last season’s Always…Patsy Cline certainly fall into the former category. Centerstage has produced many exciting new works in recent years including: 4 Christmases, commissioned from 5-time Grammy Nominee, John Forster; a new musical version of the Dickens’ classic Nicholas Nickleby; Robin Hood the first full production of Tom Meehan, Peter Sipos and Martin Charnin’s new project; Alan Bryce’s Nightmare of a Married Man which won the Tacoma News Tribune’s “Best New Play Award, 2007-2008 Season”; and two traditional English “pantomimes,” from one of the masters of this uniquely British Theatrical art form, Paul Hendy. Perhaps the most ambitious project undertaken by Centerstage was the world premiere musical Carl Sagan’s Contact. In April 2009, the City of Federal Way awarded the Knutzen Family Theatre management contract to Centerstage saving both the city and theatre company over $50,000. ABOUT SALTY’S AT REDONDO BEACH: Just minutes from Tacoma , Seattle , or Sea-Tac Airport , Salty’s at Redondo makes guests feel like they’re a million miles away from crowds, big cities, and stuffy formality. Built over the waters of Puget Sound, Salty’s offers fabulous views of Maury Island and the Olympic Mountains enjoyed from the dining room or wrap-around decks come spring and summer. Salty’s at Redondo Beach offers an extensive menu featuring the freshest seafood available, USDA prime aged charbroiled steaks, local produce, and delicious house-made desserts. An extraordinary Sunday Brunch is one of a kind—voted the Nation’s Best Brunch by MSN-Citysearch.com—and the Bar-Café features live music on select evenings and Happy Hour daily. We accommodate business meetings and banquets for as many as 50 in-house, as well as catering from our Party Platters Menu. For reservations, please call 253-946-0636. # # #