BROOMALL'S OWEN MANNION JOINS THE MEDIA THEATRE'S 'PIPPIN' THIS SUMMER

"Join us, leave your fields to flower! Join us, leave your cheese to sour! Join us, come and waste an hour or two....Doodleeedo!"

Those are the opening lyrics to "Magic To Do", the first song audiences will hear in the bright and bubbly musical "Pippin", which plays every weekend in July at The Media Theatre. Stephen Schwartz, of "Wicked" and "Godspell" fame, wrote the music and lyrics.

You certainly won't waste an hour or two enjoying this Tony Award-winning musical, which first appeared on stage in 1972. Roger O. Hirson and the legendary Bob Fosse wrote the book, and Fosse developed creative choreography for the show.

"Pippin" uses the theatrical invention of a performance troupe, who travel from place to place telling audiences the story of a young man searching for significance within his place in society as a King's son. With a Leading Player who leads the cast in 'acting out' the narrative, audiences are taken on a journey in which we learn it's the simple things in life that matter most.

Owen Mannion

The role of Pippin is played by Owen Mannion of Broomall. He is a former Media Theatre student now pursuing a professional career in theater. He is studying at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. While at Media, he was seen in several summer productions including "School of Rock", "Into The Woods", and "The Who's Tommy". He has also been in Media's professional musicals including "The Wizard of OZ" and "The Sound of Music".

Mannion started his involvement at The Media Theatre over a decade ago when he joined Camp Media Theatre for the first time at age 8. He studied with Artistic Director Jesse Cline in the theatre's New School for two years and, as he grew into his later teens, he worked in the theatre box office and assisted with social media campaigns and graphic design.

"The Media Theatre has been a large part of my life and development," Mannion said. "I look forward to many more years of being involved here, and to being in the show this summer. My hope is that I set an example for the teenagers that have a desire to fulfill their own goal of a career in theatre."

He is referring to the show's Teen Ensemble, who take on all of the other roles in the show. Each summer, The Media Theatre produces a Teen Musical Experience as part of its annual camp offerings. Previous Teen Musicals include "Hair", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Heathers", and "Grease".

The Media Theatre's summer Teen Ensemble productions have been very successful, providing an opportunity for youth actors, singers, and dancers to perform a two-act Broadway musical for general audiences. They'll rehearse for two weeks, working with professional directors and designers before performing the musical for general public audiences.

"Pippin" performs every weekend in July (Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm; Sundays at 3pm). Tickets are $12-15. Get tickets at mediatheatre.org or by calling 610-891-0100.

THE MEDIA THEATRE'S 2019 'VOCALIST' AND 'JUNIOR' CONTESTANTS ARE READY TO SING THIS SUMMER

You don’t have to go to NYC to find talented young up-and-coming performers. The Media Theatre’s summer contest “The Vocalist” allows local young singers to shine on stage Wednesday nights at 7pm (July 10, 17, and 24). GET TICKETS

The singers are in the age range of 14-24, so the annual competition is very entertaining for audiences, much like the popular national singing contests on television. Produced by Media Music Theatre Co., the weekly showcases provide ample opportunity for the contestants, allowing them a chance to perform for large audiences while honing their skills on Delaware County’s only professional music theater stage.

The contestants have been culled from recent auditions. A winner is eventually announced at the end of the three-week competition.

“Audiences will actually get to see each contestant grow,” said Artistic Director Jesse Cline. “We also look at this as an educational experience. So, rather than singing one song and leaving the competition, each vocalist has the opportunity to learn a bit more about what it takes to perform in front of an audience on a professional stage.”

Cline, as the one constant judge, is a part of an important process in the competition. He will have an extra category on his ballot that will not appear on the guest judges’ tally sheets. His added category is Individualism, which reflects his connection to the singers each week and his rapport with them following their performances.

Cline said. “There may be a week in which a young singer falters a bit, but I will know what they are capable of and who they are. The Individualism category speaks to the fact that each contestant is unique. Their interests and what is best for them should come first. Each has their own story to tell in their own way.”

The guest judges will mark their ballots in three categories:  Song Choice, Vocal Ability, and Stage Presence. Cline will have those three, plus his extra category. All categories will utilize a 1-10 ranking system, with 1 being the lowest score and 10 being the highest.

Online voting will take place again this year. As with the judges’ scoring, the online voting will also be accumulated. 

The top five receive cash prizes. "Vocalist" is sponsored by Iron Workers Bank. For tickets call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

The 2019 "Vocalist" Contestants are: 

Sophia Cotrotsios of West Chester; Julia Degruchy of Philadelphia; Brooke Falls of Glenolden; Samantha Hocker of Brookhaven; Josie Intham of Media; Paul Mariani III of Malvern; Clayton Matthews of Philadelphia; Teanna Rico of Ridley Park; Zagara Sims of Delco; JJ Vavrik of Swarthmore; Mary Kate Vink and Paul Vink, both of West Chester.

"Vocalist Junior" is the younger version of the competition, with the contest taking place on Sunday nights at 7pm July 7, 14, 21, and 28.

The 2019 "Vocalist Junior" Contestants, ages 7-13, are:

Summer Bakey of Glen Mills; Parvathi Balakrishnan of Garnet Valley; Sophie Becker of Malvern; Elliot Boldin of Wynnewood; Elizabeth Brown of Glen Riddle; Charlie Carroccio of Newtown Square; Amy Ciragliano of Delco; Ava DiGiuseppe of Thornton; Grace Gill of Media; Josephine Hughes of Glen Mills; Maya Maloskey of Malvern; Reese Masiello of West Chester; Ellen Marcantonis of Thornton; Ryan Ming of Garnet Valley; Tika Nasta of Media; Zoe Nesbitt of Drexel Hill; Hope Noonan of Broomall; Kai Sherman of Wynnewood; Charlotte Taylor of Wallingford; Amaia Truong of Wayne; Madison Van Horn of Media; and Anirudh Venkatesh of Malvern.

THE MEDIA THEATRE'S SUMMER SEASON 2019--MONTH BY MONTH

When school is out, The Media Theatre takes center stage for many of the region's youth due to its popular Camp Media Theatre. It's a large part of the theater's summer schedule, running daily from June 17 to August 23.

But summer camp is not the only event keeping the marquee bright at The Media Theatre this summer. With two classic shows (one performed by teens) and a vocal competition, the doors will be open all summer long.

Here's a month-by-month calendar of events:

June brings the first two weeks of Camp Media Theatre, during which day camp participants will have a fun and educational time performing songs from "Mary Poppins" and "Mary Poppins Returns". They'll also learn choreography for each song and take part in an acting class during which campers create their own vignettes with assistance from the camp instructors. "Mary Poppins Camp" is June 17 through June 28, culminating in a show performed for family and friends on the final Friday at 5:30pm.

On June 17 the teen campers also begin rehearsing the legendary musical "Pippin". The show is all about a young man who wants to be extraordinary, finally realizing that the small things in life are what bring true happiness. With songs featuring "Magic To Do" and "Corner of The Sky", it's a perfect summer musical brought to life by teenagers from Delaware County.

July 5 brings the first public performance of "Pippin", which continues through July 28. It's on every Friday night at 7pm, Saturday afternoons at 2pm, Saturday evenings at 7pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are available for public audiences for just $12 and $15.

July also includes the weekly "Vocalist" and "Vocalist Junior" contests, which are extremely entertaining for audiences. "Vocalist" is on Wednesday nights at 7pm (July 10, 17, and 24) while "Junior" showcases young talent Sunday nights at 7pm (July 7, 14, 21, and 28). The Wednesday night show features vocalists ages 14 to 24; the Sunday night contest delights with singers who are ages 7-13. Tickets are $12-15. (Except for the Final Week for each, which are $20). Iron Workers Bank sponsors the event.

Camp Media Theatre continues in July with "Trolls" Camp (July 1 to July 12), and "Fun Villains" Camp (July 15 to July 26). There are still spaces available in each camp. Call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. The "Greatest Show" camp, which begins July 29, is sold out 

August brings back great music from the '50's with the popular musical "Forever Plaid" (August 8-25). Part of the Media Theatre's professional Broadway Series of shows, with a live band on stage and plenty of fun, "Forever Plaid" follows the plight of four young musicians who were in a car crash after high school before they could make it big and fulfill their dreams. They are sent back to Earth for a special one-night-only concert in the present day--trouble is, they are stuck in a time-warp and think the '50's songs they perform are still giant hits. The guys are played by Carl Nathaniel Smith, Austy Hicks, Zack Krajnyak, and James Ofalt. Visit mediatheatre.org for tickets. (The musical is on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday each week.)

Camp Media Theatre has its final two-week day camp session for the summer August 12 through August 23 with the "Hamilton/ Miranda" Camp, named after the composer of the popular show. The campers will perform several songs from the Broadway smash, as well as other songs written by Lin Manuel Miranda.

mediatheatre.org/ 610-891-0100

THE MEDIA THEATRE HAS 'PIPPIN' PERFORMED BY TEENS IN JULY

There's plenty of Magic To Do this summer when The Media Theatre's Teen Ensemble performs the Tony-winning 2013 revival version of Stephen Schwartz' "Pippin".

It's on every weekend in July (Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm, Sundays at 3pm). 

"Pippin" is one young man's journey to be extraordinary as he searches for meaning and significance. He learns that happiness is not found in magnificent endeavors but rather in the simple small moments that make up each day.

The show appeals to all ages and features the classic songs "Magic To Do", "Corner of The Sky", and more. 

The Media Theatre's summer Teen Ensemble productions have been very successful, providing an opportunity for youth actors, singers, and dancers to perform a two-act Broadway musical for general audiences. They'll rehearse for two weeks, working with professional directors and designers before performing the musical for general public audiences July 8-25.

Owen Mannion, of Broomall, will play the role of Pippin. He is a former Media Theatre student now pursuing a professional career in theater at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. When a student at Media, he was seen in several of the summer productions including "School of Rock". He has also been in The Media Theatre's professional Broadway Series ("The Who's Tommy", "The Wizard of OZ", "The Sound of Music").

For tickets to the Teen Ensemble performance of "Pippin", call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org

The "Pippin" cast at The Media Theatre is:

PIPPIN......................OWEN MANNION

LEADING PLAYER.......RACHEL DURHAM/ JOSIE INTHAM

CATHERINE..............ANDIE GALANTI/ PAIGE MATSON

THE KING........MARY KATE VINK

FASTRADA................MAEVE HEGARTY/ GWEN GOETZ

THEO........................AIDAN FOX/ JEREMIAH JACKSON

GRANDMA BERTHE.......LAUREN SADDIC/ ALEXSA MCKEOWN 

LEWIS.......................EVAN BRAMLAGE/ NORAH MARTIN

JESTER....................DREW MURPHY/ ELLIE SCHREIBER

HEAD SOLDIER..........TED HARRIS/ MATTHEW ADAMS 

PEASANT, etc.....................TALLEY GALANTE

NOBLE, etc.........................NADIR TINSLEY

NOBLE, etc…………………….AARON ZHU

All who are double cast are in Ensemble when not playing role listed.

Everyone is in every performance.