WWU Theatre and Dance Department works with Bellingham TheatreWorks to present summer musical on the waterfront

Bellingham TheatreWorks is bringing to life a new idea for audiences and visitors of Bellingham this summer in partnership with Western Washington University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Utilizing the Port of Bellingham’s newest creation, the Fishermen’s Pavilion located in Zuanich Point Park, the nonprofit theatre company's goal is to produce a musical there every summer, inspired by their original Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre project.

Bellingham TheatreWorks and Western's Department of Theatre and Dance will put on "Pump Boys and Dinettes" as the inaugural musical at Zuanich. The playful country-western musical is usually set in a classic diner, but this production’s twist is that it will be set in a dockside diner as a nod to Bellingham’s rich maritime heritage. Performances will run from July 8-31 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

This production is being directed by WWU alum Billie Wildrick, a Seattle-based actor, singer, director, voiceover artist, performance and speaker coach who will lead a fantastic ensemble of local and regional performers and musicians, including current Western students Iris Cohn, Toby Bruce and Ryan Duke.

Boundary Bay will be on site before and during the performance serving beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and a slice of pie at intermission.

Pump Boys and Dinettes opens Friday, July 8, with doors opening at 6:50 p.m. to encourage early arrival to the venue before the show starts at 7:30 p.m. As a special promotion, WWU students will get in free on opening night with an advanced reservation and student ID. The show runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the month of July. Performances are at the Fishermen’s Pavilion, 2599 S. Harbor Loop Drive, at Zuanich Point Park. Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for patrons under 18. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.BellinghamTheatreWorks.org. Pump Boys is a family friendly event.