ALL THE WORLD LOVES A CLOWN. A MODERN MUSICAL COMEDY THE NOW GENERATION IS TAKING SERIOUSLY.

"Way Back When" is a fairy tale musical comedy that has plenty of laughs for a generation taking a fresh new look at contemporary musical theatre.

Contact: James Goins
(661) 916-4195
jag@imrecom.net                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES - November 27, 2002 - "Way Back When" is a fairy tale musical comedy that has plenty of laughs for a generation taking a fresh new look at contemporary musical theatre. Although its setting is medieval Europe, the show hosts a multicultural cast, audience participation, cast improvisation and an original score that today's reality-TV generation can groove to, drawing on influences ranging from Andrew Lloyd Weber, Steven Sondheim, James Horner, gospel, classical and even hip-hop.

As writer and director, Jim Goins has a passion for creating and supporting new work that speaks to what's happening right now. "I'm tired of 'Oklahoma!'" said Goins. "People only like what they know. And they're only going to support that. But it doesn't grow. And subsequently what you have is a stagnancy that's happened for the past ten years in musical theatre. And there's lots of new work. But nobody knows about it."

Goins, however, is no stranger to the stage, having directed "The Piano Lesson," "Pippin," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "The Colored Museum," for which he received a best director award. He also has created film scores for Time/Warner and Sony Pictures. Classically trained, Goins got his start as a youth minister of music. Later, his natural talent for working with kids led him to become a truancy counselor for Common Ground, pounding the streets of Watts to help get youth drop-outs back into school and to believe in themselves again. Currently a teacher for Compton Unified School District, Goins has written an independent studies curriculum and is founder of Laity Arts Foundation's Summer Theatre Workshop which offers opportunities for underprivileged youth to express themselves and find their own voices.

According to cast members, Goins has created the same environment for openness and exploration with "Way Back When." "I'm getting to create a role for the first time," said Allen Everman, who plays the Clown. "We have the freedom. Jim's opened it up to us to, you know, throw in whatever we want at this point, experiment with ad-libs."

Originally written for his son, Goins hopes that "Way Back When" will inspire future partnerships. "When people see my name, I want actors to go, 'Man, I'm so there'," said Goins. "'His work is for everybody.'"

According to Everman, the show works on both levels, much like Shrek, where the kids will relate to the cast of fun, zany characters, and yet, there are certain innuendoes that parents will understand. "The comedy, I think, is what's going to appeal to the teenagers," Everman said.

And while the cast of "Way Back When" is serious about exposing musical theatre to a broader audience, it's the show's playfulness, energy and humor that audiences remember. "The thing about this show is it can never be taken too seriously. Even when there are dramatic moments," Everman said. "It's just hilarious."

The show runs Nov. 22nd - Jan. 12th at Open Stage West, 14366 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks; (888) 735-5700. The cast includes Allen Everman as the Clown ("Into the Woods," "Music Man," "Guys and Dolls," "Peter Pan"), who is a former Citrus Singer and director of Performance Riverside's critically-acclaimed production of "Sweeney Todd"; Chil Kong as King Neilio ("Making Tracks," "Frankie," "Freak Storm"); Jennifer Vitanzo as Jess ("Children of Eden") who studied at Juilliard and The New Actor's Workshop; and Natalie Wright who debuts as Queen Alius and has a recording contract with Black Mommie Entertainment, an independent hip-hop and R&B label. http://www.waybackwhenmusical.com

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