Opening the same day as Hollywood's summer-superhero-movie kick-starter "Wolverine," Village Theatre trotted out its own blockbuster with the knockout-punch of a powerhouse world premiere musical, "Stunt Girl."



A fast and furious firecracker of a show, "Stunt Girl" zips us inside the zany-but-true life of Elizabeth Cochran, a gangbuster of a gal from early 1900s Pittsburgh who, through luck, pluck, and pure guts, zoomed to fame as Nellie Bly, legendary newspaperwoman. Bly's seamy-side-of-New York reporting both shocked and thrilled readers before tabloid TV, and she was heralded as the most famous woman in the world.

Zinging us through two powerpacked hours of Nellie's most celebrated "stunts"-which included sneaking into rat-infested insane asylums to expose corrupt doctors, duping child slavers into selling her orphaned babies, and racing 'round the world in 72 days-this whip-smart and lightning-paced musical brings to life a courageous American who, in her time, was a more celebrated hero than even the president.

Penned by Tony-nominated writer Peter Kellogg, and Disney film arranger David Friedman, "Stunt Girl" is not just a comic chronicle of the newspaper biz. It's a moving history of First World War feminism, a musical tour de force, and a Broadway-ready force of nature.

Nellie Bly is played like a spunky, sexy spark-plug by Bellevue native Sarah Chalfy. Making her Village Theatre debut, Chalfy absolutely nails Nellie. She busts out the comic chops and musical theater moxie while revealing that the lady's demon-like drive to defy the odds and one-up the men often left Bly with a bruised and broken heart.

Men in Nellie's life play second fiddle, yet each male member of "Stunt Girl's" incredible cast rates their own front-page headline.

Famed publisher Joseph Pulitzer is played by a gruff but gotta-love-him John Patrick Lowrie.

As Arthur Brisbane, Nellie's near-but-never beau in the news world, Village Theatre veteran Dane Stokinger takes each pitch the swaggering Bly hurls him, and knocks 'em out of the park.

Stealing scenes all night long are Eric Polani Jensen as Bly's rival reporter Howard Martin, and Jessica Skerritt as Phoebe, Howard's sizzlingly-sultry comic sidekick.

Behind the scenes, Village Theatre shows always bring enough razzle-dazzle to make your head spin. "Stunt Girl" keeps that hot streak alive.

Set design by Scott Fyfe is evocative of early 20th Century Big Apple glitz and grunge. Costumer Melanie Burgess garbs each kooky character in a signature style that screams with sass.

Under the direction and choreography of Steve Tomkins, the whole production clicks like clockwork and roars through 20 show tunes like a subway car screaming to Brooklyn.

At a time when audiences crave tales of Americans making it through hard times, "Stunt Girl" delivers the news that Americans have always tackled and overcome the impossible. The incredible true adventures of Nellie Bly bring that message home wrapped in hilarity, heart and hope. And that's no stunt!

Shows are Wednesdays through Sundays through May 24 at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore in Everett. Showtimes and ticket information can be found at www.villagetheatre.org, or by calling (425) 257-8600.