Centerstage Theatre is celebrating its new contract as managers of Knutzen Family Theatre with a Grand Opening Gala performance on Aug. 28.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the new office suite at the Knutzen, 3200 SW Dash Point Road.

The event will kick off with a complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. At 7:30 p.m., the entertainment will kick off and will feature many past Centerstage actors in a cabaret, including Cayman Ilika, Alica Mendez, Roger Curtis, Michaela Koerner, Annamaria Pasley Horn, Caitlin Frances, Bob De Dea, Eric Hartley, Hilary Heinz and Sott Polovitch-Davis and more performers new to the theatre.

There will also be a summer sorbet intermission and after the show there will be dessert and complimentary champagne and visits with the stars of the show.

For tickets visit the Centerstage Web site after Aug. 15 to buy online at www.centerstagetheatre.com/plays.html or call the office at (253) 661-1444.

‘Contact’ premiere

Centerstage’s first production of the season is coming up: “Contact” will begin on Sept. 25.

The play was originally scheduled for a world premier last season. However, after Centerstage recieved the manager’s contract from the City of Federal Way, the show was postponed while the theater group moved to its new location.

“Contact,” based on the best selling novel by Carl Sagan, which was also made into a movie, is the story of a young woman who goes on an out of this world journey.

The score for the production was composed by Peter Sipos and lyrics were done by Amy Engelhardt.

The show will run through Oct. 18. Tickets: (253) 661-1444.