MEDIA THEATRE ANNOUNCES 'ANNIE JR' CAST!

The sun ALWAYS shines when Annie is around! This time, she's making her appearance at The Media Theatre in an hour-long condensed version of the legendary Broadway hit musical. "ANNIE JR" will delight audiences ages 4 and up every weekend from October 4 through December 28 with performances on Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at Noon.

"ANNIE JR" is solidly based on the two-act version of the Tony winning hit, with all of the wonderful characters audiences know and adore. Based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, we learn about what hope amidst difficult times is able to do as we move toward the future. As it has been re-developed for young audiences, the scenes involving the Presidential Cabinet have been deleted to keep the action moving quickly toward its inevitable happy ending. 

With the the beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin featuring some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written including "Tomorrow" the show is the perfect family treat for the holidays.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the grumpy Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy (who, in this version, is portrayed by a young actor).

The show is produced by Media Music Theatre Company and features a large cast of youth actors ages 5 and up with a few guest adult actors to bring the show to life. 

The cast of "ANNIE JR" is:

Annie….Cassidy Else/ Amanda Treston (double cast)

Sandy, the dog…Sebastian Fitzgerald

Orphans:

Molly, who is 6…Bridget Henry

Kate, who is 7….Alexsa McKeown

Tessie, cry-baby who is 10….Kennedy Ndiaye

Pepper, tough 12 year old…Mary Kate Vink

July, quiet 13 year old…Madilyn Gibbs

Duffy, 13 year old leader….Elaina Fitzgerald u/s Annie

Understudy to Molly & Kate is Miranda Fitzgerald

Understudy to Tessie TBA

Understudy to Pepper & Duffy is Rachael McVey

Understudy to July is Jillian Donohue

Miss Hannigan….Aimee Theresa

Daddy Warbucks….Henry O’ Neill

Grace Farrell….Shiron Denise (Grace u/s is Katie Davis)

Rooster….Michael Wells

Lily St. Regis….Veronica Garrubbo

Star-To-Be….Molly Sorensen

Servants:

Drake…Lars Halldin

Mrs. Greer….Hanna Murphy u/s Star-To-Be

Mrs. Pugh…Sophia Leone

Cecille…Molly Sorensen

Annette…Jillian Donohue

Understudy for Mrs. Greer & Mrs. Pugh is Lauren Poltrock

Understudy for Cecille & Annette is Sarah Shoumer

Bert Healy…Josh Atkinson/ Carter Weiss

Sound Effects Man….Josh Atkinson/ Carter Weiss

Bundles/ Louis Howe…Roger Ricker (Male Swing for FDR, etc)

FDR…Tim Haney (Male Swing for Warbucks & Drake)

Apple Seller ….Mary Layne

Dogcatcher ....Justin Fitzgerald

Lt. Ward/ Man in NYC…Jaydin Knight

ENSEMBLE: will portray people on the street in NYC; other orphans both male and female; policemen and women; Radio Announcers; Street Children; Ushers and Usherettes; etc. All cast members listed above except for Daddy Warbucks, Annie, Grace, Sandy,  and FDR are also in the Ensemble throughout the show as well as ANNA BOZZI, HOLLY DELUCA, ZACHARY DIVITO, JILLIAN DONOHUE, MIRANDA FITZGERALD, SAGAN INGRAM, MARY LAYNE, RACHEL MCCABE, AALIYAH MICHAEL, ALLISON NEPO, LAUREN POLTROCK, SARAH SHOUMER, BRYNN WASHBORNE, VIOLET WILEY, MEGAN WINTERBOTTOM. ROYA WOLCOTT.

We are still accepting Ensemble cast members. If interested, email rer764@gmail.com

There are two performances at 9:45am on Friday October 10 and Friday December 26.

For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit www.mediatheatre.org

MEDIA THEATRE HAS VARIETY OF ACTING CLASSES THIS FALL

With the fall season approaching quickly schools are getting back into session. This includes The Media Theatre’s Acting Classes which go into full course mode starting the weekend of September 6. Produced and supervised by Media Music Theatre Company, the classes offer a semester of professional training for those just beginning or wishing to further their education.

Children have fun expressing themselves on stage at The Media Theatre

All classes are based on The Meisner Technique which follows the basic structure that ‘Acting is living as truthfully as one can under an imaginary circumstance.’ Within this curriculum there is no ‘character’ or pretense and actors are placed in an environment which allows them to be who they are, building self-awareness and self-esteem within their own unique personality. The idea of ‘copying’ someone else’s performance is pushed aside as actors create from within themselves to fulfill the required role they may be asked to portray.

Starting this year The Media Theatre will now offer three levels of classes for children.  The popular Children’s Class, for ages 6 and up, will continue on Saturday mornings at 9am beginning September 6 and continuing for ten weeks. This 10-week one-hour course is primarily for ages 6 to 9 who are just starting out or who have less stage experience than others in their age group. It features exercises for building basic speaking skills on stage (volume, diction), learning stage directions, and developing self-esteem. Fun improvisational style exercises are also utilized to build the concept that acting requires team work on occasion.

Level Two for Children will meet Tuesdays at 4:30 beginning September 9. This 10-week one-hour course is appropriate for children ages 8 to 11, or for those who have some onstage experience. The focus is primarily on student scene work to strengthen beginning acting skills. Theatre exercises are also implemented to enhance stage focus and discipline. Diction is a big part of this class, as well as following direction with one-on-one instruction within a group environment. 

A new class this year is the Introduction to Theatre Class for ages 4 to 6 on Tuesdays at 3:30. The one hour weekly course is specifically designed for the youngest age group that has an interest in performing. The young children will learn by ‘Acting Out’ as they tell stories such as “Goldilocks” through performance. They may also be asked to act as if they are ‘walking in the rain or snow’ or to ‘show what your favorite zoo animal does’. The class will instill within the students that being who they are is important and following instructions will be a major focus. Imagination will be a large ingredient of the Introduction to Theatre Class.

The Teen Acting Class will continue on Sundays at 6pm starting September 7. This eight-week 90-minute class is ideal for ages 12 and up. Each student is given one-on-one instruction within a group environment.  Focus is on stage skills, following direction,  and monologues. As the class progresses, the monologue is enhanced through continued study and performance. Improvisational Scene Work is also explored.

The Adult Class will meet Sundays at 7:30 beginning September 7. This eight-week 90-minute class is designed for the adult (18 and up) who wishes to explore acting for the first time or who wants to strengthen their stage skills. Scene study with partners and monologues are the   focus.

Robert Huntington will continue his Improv Class for Teens and Adults on Tuesdays at 6:30pm starting September 9. Huntington studied at the famous Second City Improv School based in Chicago. 

Roger Ricker, a stage veteran of over 85 productions and concerts at The Media Theatre, instructs the Children and Teen Classes. Tim Haney, who has been with the theatre since 1997, instructs the Adult Class.

Jesse Cline, the Artistic Director for Media Music Theatre Company, will once again supervise and instruct in The New School. The conservatory-style music theatre education program focuses on acting, vocal music, and movement for the stage. Registration for The New School is by invitation or audition only. There are still 7 spaces left for the 2014-15 season which meets on either Monday or Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6:30.

The Media Theatre will soon make an important announcement regarding an expansion of its education program for the new season.

REGISTER FOR CLASSES HERE

To register for the Acting Classes, please call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. Email rer764@gmail.com with specific questions or request information.

MALVERN'S MOLLY SORENSEN WINS 'VOCALIST JUNIOR' TITLE AT THE MEDIA THEATRE

Each week during the 2014 "Vocalist Junior" competition at The Media Theatre a young 13 year old with a lilting, smooth, silky voice held the audience in the palm of her hands. Her name is Molly Sorensen. It's a name you'll be hearing a lot of in years to come. The Malvern resident went on to win the contest with lovely renditions of the Broadway classics "The Wizard and I" from Wicked and "Home" from Beauty and the Beast during the final round.

Molly Sorensen, left, reacts when her name is called as the 2014 "Vocalist Junior".
Beside her is second place "Junior" Lexi Gwynn

During the Finals, Artistic Director Jesse Cline, usually seated on stage left to chat with the contestants as he marks his ballot, was unable to attend. The Media Theatre's Roger Ricker, who instructs several acting classes, took Cline's chair but was not a judge for the evening. He did, however, chat with each young singer after their performances.

Of Sorensen, Ricker said, "You have an ability to cause people to like a song they may not have originally been fond of. You do not belt more than you should. It all seems so effortless."

Ricker reminded the audience that 'we should send a huge amount of applause to Jesse Cline during his absence to thank him for creating the summer contest which gives young performers an opportunity to perform in front of large audiences. They learn more about themselves and we learn more about them. Without Cline's vision and mission we would not be here tonight.' The audience, knowing Cline would be able to see the message on video, sent him healthy applause. 

The 2014 Vocalist Junior Top Five: Molly Sorensen (Winner in center). At Left: Gaea Lawton and Lauren Hackett. At Right: Amanda Treston and Lexi Gwynn

The four guest judges were also fond of Molly Sorensen, as she was crowned the winner. The judges were Barrymore Award winning actor Jeff Coon, Media Borough Council President Brian Hall, Crozer Regional Cancer Center's Ray Vivacqua, and Iron Workers Bank President John Whittig.

The young lady received a $500 check presented by Whittig and a gift card to attend productions at The Media Theatre. Most likely, she gained hundreds of fans due to her delightful performances each week.

Malvern should be proud as three of the top five are residents of the Main Line borough. Second place went to 11 year old Lexi Gwynn, who performed a "Broadway Baby" complete with a suitcase and a costume which presented her as a traveling stage hopeful. The young performer started the competition as a resident of West Chester, but now resides in Malvern. Fifth place went to Malvern's 10 year old Amanda Treston.

Gaea Lawton, 12, of Avondale received third place from the judging panel. Media was represented well by 13 year old Lauren Hackett who took fourth place.

Bill Vargus kept the night moving as emcee with Chris Ertelt as the "Vocalist Junior" pianist. Ertelt will be the Media Music Theatre Company's 2014-15 Broadway Series music director. The organization produces the summer "Vocalist" events as well. 

For information on upcoming acting classes or The 2014-15 Broadway Series at The Media Theatre, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

Read Delaware County Daily Times Exclusive Article....2014 VOCALIST WINNER ANNOUNCED

Read the article here:
DELCO DAILY TIMES HAS EXCLUSIVE: VOCALIST WINNER ANNOUNCED

Here's the Top Five: Lauren Henninger, 16, of Manayunk; Robert Rinaldo, 23, of Paoli; Shaelyn Ruddy, 21 of Chadds Ford; Thomas Lock, 15, of Malvern; and Kasey Brown, 17, of Wilmington, DE with Media Theatre's Artistic Director Jesse Cline. Read Article Above to see who took home the "VOCALIST" Title for 2014!

MEDIA THEATRE ANNOUNCES 'ADDAMS FAMILY' CAST

The Media Theatre has the Philadelphia regional professional premiere of Broadway’s hit musical comedy “The Addams Family” September 24-November 2. Produced by Media Music Theatre Company, the show is based on Charles Addams’ single panel comic strip from which a legendary ‘60’s tv sitcom was created.

In “The Addams Family” musical, created by Marshall Brickman &; Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa, the humorously bizarre family that delights in the macabre must come to terms with 18 year old Wednesday’s infatuation with a young man from a family quite unlike their own. Even though we see the Addams' singing ghoulish ancestors in the show, The Chicago Sun-Times says “The Addams Family” has ‘an abundance of life’.

That life will be brought to The Media Theatre stage with what could be referred to as a Philadelphia All-Star Cast. Two Barrymore Award winners will portray the delightfully devilish couple who head the family. Jeff Coon will play the role of Gomez with Jennie Eisenhower as Morticia.

Jeff Coon, who will play the role of Gomez

Jennie Eisenhower is Morticia Addams

Lauren Cupples will add the role of Wednesday to her list of Media Theatre credits. JD Triolo will play Pugsley, with Andrew Rubin appearing as Pugsley during matinees. Susan Wefel will be Grandmama with Nicholas Saverine as Fester. The tall role of Lurch will be played by Bill Vargus.

Jake Glassman plays Wednesday’s boyfriend Lucas, with Kristine Fraelich as Alice and Paul Weagraff as Mal.

The Ancestors and Ensemble are Aaron Atkinson, Rachel Beiswenger, Zachary Chiero, JP Dunphy, Patrick Ludt, Sam Nagel, Jacquline Rosenthal, Megan Rucidlo, and Sarah Spangenberg.

Dann Dunn directs and choreographs with Christopher Ertelt as music director. Ertelt will be the   2014-15 Resident Music Director for Media Music Theatre Company (Jesse Cline, Artistic Director).

“The Addams Family” tickets may be purchased at www.mediatheatre.org or by calling 610-891-0100. Group rates are available for all performances.  The musical comedy runs September 24 through November 2 at The Media Theatre, 104 East State Street in Media, PA. 

VOCALIST JUNIOR TOP 15 FOR 2014...WHO THEY ARE!

The Top 15 contestants for VOCALIST JUNIOR have been announced as we head into the 2014 Finals!
After tabulating the judges' scores and the public online and open ballot voting, the top 15 are seen here in performance pics from the semi-final round:

JOSH ATKINSON, 9, of Morton

Morgan Bitzberger, 12, Thornton

Samuel Cooper, 7, Glen Mills

The lobby fills with the crowd prior to the show!

Bridget Duffy, 12, Aston

Cassidy Else, 9, Drexel Hill

Veronica Garrubbo, 11, Berwyn

Lexi Gwynn, 11, West Chester/ Malvern

Lauren Hackett, 13, Media

Lars Halldin, 12, Norristown

Gaea Lawton, 12, Avondale

Elizabeth Mercier, 11, Brookhaven

Fiona Moser, 11, Havertown

Hanna Murphy, 10, Springfield

Molly Sorensen, 13, Malvern 

Amanda Treston, 10, Malvern

You DON'T want to miss the Finals on Sunday night August 10!
Call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org
One of these lucky 15 will be the 'VOCALIST JUNIOR'! 

BROADWAY'S CHRISTINE ANDREAS TO HEADLINE CONCERT AUGUST 23 AT MEDIA THEATRE

Broadway actress Christine Andreas will headline at The Media Theatre Saturday night August 23 during an evening of Broadway classics. She’ll be joined by professional singers and actors as Media Music Theatre Company presents “What We Do”, a one-time only concert.

Ms. Andreas recently finished a year-long run starring as Jacqueline in the Tony & Olivier Award-winning production of “La Cage Aux Folles” in which she shared the stage with Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer. She received raves as Margaret in the 55 week national tour of “The Light In The Piazza”.

CHRISTINE ANDREAS

She first captured attention in the 20^th anniversary production of “My Fair Lady” as Eliza Doolittle for which she received a Theatre World Award. She has two Tony Award nominations for her performances as Laurey in the revival of “Oklahoma!” and as Frankie in “On Your Toes”. She created the role of Marguerite St. Just in Broadway’s original production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” opposite Terrence Mann and has also appeared in “Words and Music”, “Angel Street”, “Rags”, and the legendary “Legs Diamond” starring with the late Peter Allen. She won a Barrymore Award for her portrayal of Vera Simpson in Prince Music Theater’s production of “Pal Joey”.

Christine Andreas’ television credits include “Law and Order: SVU”, “The Cosby Show”, “Another World”, and her performance as Ava Gardner in Fox’s mini-series “Mia, Child of Hollywood”. She has performed at The White House, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and The Kennedy Center.

GET TICKETS HERE

Andreas will share the stage with several of the Broadway Series professionals who have performed previously on The Media Theatre stage. “This is a night that’s all about “What We Do”, which is what we are calling the event”, Cline explained. “We’ll highlight local and regional actors who have assisted us in creating what we are known for, which is professional music theatre. These are performers who represent what many of our youth hope to become.”

Tony nominee Ann Crumb, who played Norma Desmond in Media Music Theatre Company’s recent critically acclaimed “Sunset Boulevard”, joins Christine Andreas for the concert. Broadway’s Nicholas Saverine, who played Max alongside Ms. Crumb, will perform as well.

The concert will feature John Smitherman who is the Artistic Director for The Pittman Theatre of New Jersey. “He was in our production of “Spring Awakening” here a few years ago and is recognizable to our audiences,” Cline said. “We have had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions.”

Another popular performer who will sing August 23 is Patrick Ludt. He’s been in “Sunset Boulevard”, “Rent”, and “My Fair Lady” among other titles. Megan Rucidlo, the theatre’s New School dance instructor, rounds out the evening’s set list. She’s been in Media’s “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and several others.

The event is a bridge between the summer, which has a main focus on youth events and camps, and the upcoming 2014-15 Broadway Series which begins in September. The title reflects Media Music Theatre Company’s status as a professional non-profit music theatre organization which is a member of Actors Equity Association. “Without the Broadway Series none of our youth or educational programming would exist,” said Artistic Director Jesse Cline. “We are a professional music theatre company first and foremost and have had the privilege of being able to create and sustain many opportunities for youth as well.”

To that end, three of the performers August 23 will be previous members of its youth programs who have gone on to create a career for themselves. Gregory Smith, 14, of Media, and West Chester’s 12 year old JD Triolo will add their talents to the evening as will Malvern’s Lexi Gwynn, 11, a member of Media’s New School.

Not simply a beautiful structure steeped in history, the Media Theatre is now known worldwide as the home of the Media Music Theatre Company. Cline and his staff of creative designers and directors have been awarded more than 20 “Best Of” honors from prestigious media outlets. The New York Daily News referred to it as ‘The Cultural Anchor of Delaware County’. It has been recognized recently by the Pennsylvania State Senate and the US Congress for its cultural impact on the region.

VOCALIST TOP 15 HEAD INTO THE 2014 FINALS! Here's Who They Are

The VOCALIST Top 15 for 2014 have been announced!

Here are their photos from the semi-final round July 30.

They now approach the Finals 
which are August 6 at 7pm.
The TOP 15 will all sing in Act One, 
with the Top 5 singing in Act Two on August 6.

KASEY BROWN, 17, of Wilmington, DE

RHIANNON CHARNEY, 17, of Boothwyn

AMBER DUNCAN, 15, of Wallingford

MOSES GONZALEZ, 19, of Woodlyn

LAUREN HENNINGER, 16, of Philadelphia

ANASTASIA KORBAL, 14, of Riverton, NJ

THOMAS LOCK, 15, of Malvern

PAUL MARIANI III, 14, of Ardmore

ABBY PANCOAST, 14, of Broomall

JULIA RICHTER, 15, of Phoenixville

ROBERT RINALDO, 23, of Paoli

SHAELYN RUDDY, 21, of Chadds Ford

MARTI SALMON, 15, of Woodbury, NJ

AVA SULLIVAN, 15, of Newtown Square

MICHAEL WALCZAK, 15, of Glenolden

You DON'T want to miss the TOP 15 singing their hearts out during the VOCALIST 2014 FINALS on Wednesday August 6 at 7pm!

For tickets, call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit www.mediatheatre.org
The Vocalist is sponsored by Iron Workers Bank and is produced by Media Music Theatre Company.