Village Theatre’s sweet ‘Snapshots’ captures a marriage in time
Their son is now grown and gone, Dan is a workaholic and Sue is ready to leave home.
She writes a note, grabs her suitcase from the attic and hopes to sneak away. But Dan returns from work early and finds her in the attic. Sue throws a blanket over the suitcase.
While standing there, the couple uncovers a box of snapshots. As they look through the photos, their memories come to life.
Village Theatre’s production of “Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook” — opening its three-week run tonight at the Everett Performing Arts Center — is a romantic (and touching) comedy, but it doubles as a clever way to celebrate the songs of award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
The musical features 26 songs from 12 shows including “Pippin,” “Wicked,” “The Magic Show,” “Godspell,” “Enchanted,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “Children of Eden,” “Personals” and “Reluctant Pilgrim.”
When Schwartz heard in the early 1990s about Michael Scheman’s and David Stern’s concept for the revue show, he gave his blessing. When they finally had a rough draft, Schwartz joined the project and adjusted some of his songs to better fit the story.
Village Theatre got involved in the project in 2005, when “Snapshots” made its debut in Issaquah as a Village Originals developmental production. Since then, the show has been staged in other small-scale theaters as the writers worked to polish the script.
Now, Village Theatre’s mainstage production marks the final stages of development.
Capable and well-known Village veterans Beth DeVries and Hugh Hastings play Sue and Dan.
The funny Mallory King is Susie, the child and the teen version of Sue. Ben Wynant plays Danny, Dan’s goofy younger self. With this production, King and Wynant also are returning to the Village stage.
New to Village Theatre, Tracy McDowell plays Susan and Jim DeSelm is Daniel — the college grad, young professional and then newly married couple.
At first, it’s easy to wonder about the time travel involved in the show, but it isn’t long before the audience is taken in by the talents of the cast and their ensemble work.
As usual, the Village Theatre scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers have done a great job and the directors and stage managers have pulled it all together.
See this musical. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy the music of Stephen Schwartz.
And don’t be surprised if you see couples holding hands as they leave the theater.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
“Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook” opens Oct. 23 and runs through Nov. 15 at the Everett Performing Arts Center. For tickets, call the box office at 425-257-8600. More at www.villagetheatre.org/everett.
