THE MEDIA THEATRE ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO 'THE VOCALIST' 2020

Even though it's the holiday season, talent never rests! So The Media Theatre is announcing changes to its summer singing contest "The Vocalist".

Well, actually, this summer it's just "The Vocalist Junior" for ages 7-13. There will not be a "Vocalist" for ages 14-24 in 2020. 

THE 2019 VOCALIST JUNIOR WINNER, ELLIOTT BOLDIN.
HE IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING IN 'JACK FROST SAVES CHRISTMAS'
AT THE MEDIA THEATRE
SUNDAYS AT NOON

"We are re-organizing the contest," said Artistic Director Jesse Cline. "Times are changing, and the interests of older youth are changing with the times. We decided it best to focus on the younger age group this summer, as the Junior version of the contest has overtaken the original version in popularity."

"The Vocalist Junior" will be moving to Wednesday nights in July, leaving Sunday evenings free for families to return from the shore or to relax at home. For the Junior contestants, rehearsals will take place each Tuesday at 4:30pm prior to the Wednesday night performance at 7pm.

The contest itself will remain as it was: an opportunity for young performers to hone their craft while performing in front of a live audience. As they sing on the stage of Delaware County's only professional music theatre, they will learn valuable lessons on stage presence. After the four-week Wednesday night run, a "Junior" winner will be announced.

So, even though the holidays are upon us, it's not too early to start thinking about the summer's popular "Vocalist Junior" event, especially if you are planning a vacation.
The contest will take place on July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7pm.

Auditions will take place in May. Anyone interested may email Roger Ricker at rer764@gmail.com for information until then.

THE MEDIA THEATRE RECEIVES 39 'BEST OF PHILLY THEATRE 2019' BROADWAY WORLD NOMINATIONS

The Media Theatre received 39 nominations for the Broadway World 2019 "Best of Philadelphia Theatre" Awards, sponsored by TodayTix.

The nominations were made by the theatre community, and voting will take place through the end of December online at the Broadway World Philadelphia site. Voting is open to the theatre community and members of the general public. To vote, follow this link: https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/voteregion.cfm

Broadway World is an online theatrical media magazine, which gives an up-to-date daily journal of the latest theatrical news from Broadway to London's West End.

Shows produced between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019 were eligible.

MELISSA RAPALJE AND JESSE CORBIN IN 'SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER'.
BOTH ARE NOMINATED FOR BROADWAY WORLD AWARDS FOR THEIR PERFORMANCES IN DIRECTOR JESSE CLINE'S PRODUCTION FROM LAST SPRING.
THE MUSICAL RECEIVED 9 NOMINATIONS.

Last spring's "Saturday Night Fever" received 9 nominations, the most of any of The Media Theatre's productions eligible. It was directed by Jesse Cline, who received a nomination for his work on that show as well as a second nomination for directing "Sweeney Todd".

The Media Theatre has, in recent years, received 92 "Best of Philadelphia Theatre" Awards from Broadway World. Its nominations this year include:

BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL: "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER", "THE WIZARD OF OZ" 

BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY: "JULIUS CAESAR" 

BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL: JESSE CLINE, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; JESSE CLINE, "SWEENEY TODD"

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY: BILL VAN HORN, "JULIUS CAESAR"

BEST ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL: "BEEHIVE"; "FOREVER PLAID"; "THE WIZARD OF OZ"

BEST ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY: "JULIUS CAESAR"

BEST NEW WORK: "THE SNOW QUEEN" (Book and Lyrics: Roger Ricker/ Music: Pat D'Amato)

BEST SPECIAL EVENT: "THE SNOW QUEEN", "ROGER RICKER AND FRIENDS: WE ARE FAMILY"

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: JESSE CORBIN, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; DOUGLAS LADNIER, "SWEENEY TODD"; CARL NATHANIEL SMITH, "FOREVER PLAID"

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY: DAMON BONETTI, "JULIUS CAESAR"

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: MELISSA RAPALJE, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; ANNA ROSENTHAL, "THE WIZARD OF OZ"; JENNY LEE STERN, "SWEENEY TODD"

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY: JENNIE EISENHOWER, "JULIUS CAESAR"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: KELLY BRIGGS, "THE WIZARD OF OZ"; RONNIE KELLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; ROGER RICKER, "THE WIZARD OF OZ"; NICHOLAS SAVERINE, "SWEENEY TODD"; BOB STINEMAN, "THE WIZARD OF OZ" 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: TAMARA DELLA ANDERSON, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; JENNIE EISENHOWER, "SWEENEY TODD"; ANNA FERRIGNO, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"; RYANE NICOLE STUDIVANT, "BEEHIVE"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: LISA VILLAMIL, "JULIUS CAESAR"

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: MARC ANDREW NUNEZ, "THE WIZARD OF OZ"; CHRISTIAN RYAN, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"

BEST MUSIC DIRECTION: BEN KAPILOW, "SWEENEY TODD"

BEST SOUND DESIGN: CARL PARK, "SWEENEY TODD"

BEST COSTUMES: RYN SMITH, "BEEHIVE"

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: STEVEN SPERA, "SWEENEY TODD"

BEST SET DESIGN: MATTHEW MILLER, "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"

BEST IN A LOCAL NON-AEA PRODUCTION: OWEN MANNION, "PIPPIN"

THE MEDIA THEATRE HAS 'JACK FROST' RETURNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It's time for the holidays which means "Jack Frost Saves Christmas" is on stage at The Media Theatre. This one hour upbeat and heartfelt show for youth of all ages is becoming an annual tradition at The Media Theatre. It's all about the boy who can't seem to do anything right because everything he touches turns to ice! Soon, however, friendship and the art of giving get everyone in on the act for a wonderful holiday.

"Jack Frost Saves Christmas" is by Matt and Tina Jo Wallace with music by Scott Bradley, a previous resident music director for The Media Theatre. Songs include "Countdown to Christmas", "Frost", and "Gifts Are For Giving". It's on Sundays at Noon through December 22, and a December 29 performance at 11am. GET TICKETS

Springfield's Greyson Heneks who plays the title role in "Jack Frost Saves Christmas"

The production this year features Media Theatre student Greyson Heneks as Jack Frost. He is 9 years old and resides in Springfield, PA. He has performed in many Media Theater children’s productions such as Snow White, The Snow Queen and Five Little Pumpkins. Greyson also performed in Media Theater’s main stage production of The Wizard of Oz, and was recently seen as Bruce in Matilda: The Musical. When not performing, he enjoys dancing, telling jokes and art.

The show features audience participation, particularly when the entire audience is asked to assist Jack Frost. The Rompin' Reindeer dance is also always an audience favorite as several volunteers from the audience are asked to participate. 

Ben Kapilow music directs, with Roger Ricker directing the fast-paced show for children ages 3 and up. Carol Sorensen costume designs with vibrant colors. For tickets call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

FIRST LOOK PHOTOS: The Media Theatre's ELF: THE MUSICAL

The Media Theatre has "Elf: The Musical" this holiday season, through January 12.

Directed and choreographed by Christian Ryan, the production features Chicago's Josh Houghton as Buddy, the Elf in the musical based on the classic 2003 movie.

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.

With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

Songs include "Christmastown", "Never Fall In Love With An Elf", and "SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley". Ben Kapilow music directs the two-hour-and-fifteen minute show.

Photos are by Maura McConnell. Tickets are available by calling 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org