THE MEDIA THEATRE'S JACK FROST PHOTOS...AND SHOW SCHEDULE...PLUS VISIT WITH SANTA!

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 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.

Media Theatre New School student Michael Wells as Jack Frost

"Jack Frost Saves Christmas" was 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".

The production features a cast of the theatre's professionally trained acting, dance, and New School students along with three guest adult actors: Roger Ricker as Mr. Holly, the town's eccentric theatre director; Tim Haney as Polar Bear; and Henry O' Neill as Santa Claus. Three New School students are featured: Michael Wells portrays Jack Frost with Hannah Murphy as Elizabeth, who befriends him, and Gigi Furlan plays the role of Mom. 

Tim Haney as Polar Bear, Cassidy Else as Rabbit, Michael Wells as Jack Frost, and Ben Pedersen as Penguin

Music Direction is by Patrick Murphy. The colorful costumes are by Patricia Garrubbo and Carol Sorensen with assistance from Casey Feeley and Nicole Trotter. The show includes audience participation and an opportunity for children to be on stage during the "Rompin' Reindeer" dance.

Roger Ricker as Mr. Holly with Wells as Jack Frost

The show plays Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at Noon now through January 1. On Saturday December 5, 12, and 19 children attending the show will be able to meet Santa Claus upstairs in the theatre's Crystal Room starting at 10:30am. Photos may be taken with Santa Claus and a few of the actors from the show on each of the three Saturdays.

Hanna Murphy as Elizabeth and Gigi Furlan as Mom notice "Frost" on the windowpane

There is one special Tuesday evening show at 7pm December 8. 

The "Jack Frost" Chistmastown Citizens cast

To purchase tickets call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. It's just $12 for children and $15 for adults to enjoy this special holiday themed treat.

Carter Weiss as Raccoon with the other animals and Jack 

PHOTOS BY CHRIS FURLAN

MEDIA THEATRE RECEIVES 44 NOMINATIONS FOR 2015 BROADWAY WORLD AWARDS!

After winning a total of 36 Broadway World Awards the past three years combined, including Best Theatre Company of Philadelphia three years in a row, The Media Theatre received a total of 44 nominations for "Best of Philadelphia Theatre 2015".  The nominations include Best Musical, Best Play, and two nominations in the category of Best Director for Jesse Cline, the theatre's artistic director. 

The voting is open to the theatre community locally, nationally, and internationally as well as to the general public. To vote, visit broadwayworld.com/philadelphia. Voting takes place through Dec. 31 with winners announced in January by Broadway World.

Nominations have been announced worldwide by the esteemed online theatrical media outlet Broadway World, which gives an up-to-date daily journal of the latest theatrical productions, happenings, and events from Broadway to London's West End. 

The Media Theatre is nominated alongside other professional theatres in the Philadelphia region including The Walnut Street Theatre.

In an ironic twist, as Media is known for producing musicals, its critically acclaimed production of the classic play "The Miracle Worker" this past February received the most nominations for the company with a total of 11.

Another critically acclaimed production at Media, "Les Miserables", received 9 nominations as did the Andrea McArdle starring vehicle "Hello Dolly". The recent "Gypsy" was awarded 8 nominations, and the theatre's regional professional premiere of "Ghost: The Musical" was given 4.

Three special events were nominated in the appropriate Event category. The category honors those one-night or 'off season' shows or concerts outside of a theatre's regular season. Media received nominations for the "Summer Club ALS Benefit", "The Who's Tommy", and the annual "Roger Ricker & Friends Concert".

Here are the nominations received by The Media Theatre:

Best Musical: "Gypsy", "Hello Dolly", "Les Miserables"

Best Play: "The Miracle Worker"

Best Director of a Musical: Jesse Cline, "Les Miserables"; Dann Dunn, "Hello Dolly"

Best Director of a Play: Jesse Cline, "The Miracle Worker"

Best Actor in A Musical: Kelly Briggs as Herbie in "Gypsy"; Patrick Ludt as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables"; John Smitherman as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" (Both played the role); Zack Krajnyack as Sam in "Ghost"

Best Actor in A Play: Andrew Criss as Captain Keller in "The Miracle Worker"

Best Actress in A Musical: Krissy Fraelich as Mama Rose in "Gypsy"; Anna Giordano as Molly in "Ghost"; Andrea McArdle as Dolly in "Hello Dolly"

Best Actress in A Play: Jennie Eisenhower as Annie Sullivan in  "The Miracle Worker"; Lexi Gwynn as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker" 

Supporting Actor in A Musical: Kelly Briggs as Thenardier in "Les Miserables"; Kelly Briggs as Horace in "Hello Dolly"; JP Dunphy as Subway Ghost in "Ghost"; Patrick Ludt as Cornelius in "Hello Dolly"; Cameron Scott Slusser as Barnaby in "Hello Dolly; Sean Thompson as Enjolras in "Les Miserables"

Supporting Actress in A Musical: Anna Giordano as Louise in "Gypsy"

Supporting Actor in A Play: Alex Kryger as James in "The Miracle Worker"; Nicholas Saverine as Doctor in "The Miracle Worker"

Supporting Actress in A Play: Jennie Eisenhower as Annie Sullivan in "The Miracle Worker" (nominated in both lead and supporting category for this role); Hillary Parker as Mrs. Keller in "The Miracle Worker" 

Best Ensemble cast of A Musical: "Gypsy", "Hello Dolly", "Les Miserables"

Best Ensemble cast of A Play: "The Miracle Worker"

Best Choreography: Dann Dunn, "Gypsy"; Dann Dunn, "Hello Dolly" 

Best Music Direction: Christopher Ertelt, "Les Miserables"

Best Costumes: "Les Miserables"; Katie Yamaguchi, "Gypsy"; Katie Yamaguchi, "Hello Dolly"

Best Lighting Design: Troy Martin O' Shia, "Gypsy"

Best Sound Design: Carl Park, "Ghost: The Musical" 

Best Set Design: Matthew Miller, "The Miracle Worker"

Best Special Event: "Jeff Coon's Summer Club ALS Benefit", "Roger Ricker & Friends Concert", "The Who's Tommy".

To vote for The Media Theatre, visit the Broadway World Awards here: VOTE NOW!

'BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL' FIRST LOOK PHOTOS

The Media Theatre has the region's professional premiere of the 10-time Tony winning "Billy Elliot: The Musical" now through January 3. Elton John's score enhances the story based on the film of the young boy in a Welsh mining town who wants to do ballet rather than boxing. It all takes place during a miner's strike in the '80's, so Billy's enthusiasm to dance is not quite getting through to his family or the town although a dance instructor sees the gift within.

A truly inspirational story for the holidays, "Billy Elliot" features two boys in the title role. After an extensive search, the two boys who were chosen were both from the Philadelphia region. Gunar Daniels of West Chester and Brandon Ranalli of Media, both 13 years old, share the role.

Here are first look photos from the production, taken by Laura Briglia Photography.
For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

Brandon Ranalli as Billy Elliot

Gunar Daniels as Billy Elliot

Susan Wefel as Grandma

Kelly Briggs as George with the Boys

Anne Connors as Mrs. Wilkinson with the Ballet Girls