MEDIA THEATRE'S 2019-20 SEASON HAS FAMILY FUN, A FIRST LADY, AND ABBA

The Media Theatre is heading into its 26th Broadway Series Season with two contemporary family musicals, a rarely seen show about Eleanor Roosevelt, a classic dealing with pregnancy, and ABBA. It's one of the theater's most eclectic seasons, promising entertaining productions that will ultimately inspire audiences.

First on the boards is the Roald Dahl story of the little girl who could make a difference. It's "Matilda: The Musical" and it's on October 2-27. With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, the show has won 47 international awards. Matilda is a little girl with intelligence and psychokinetic powers who is unloved by her cruel parents but whose schoolteacher finds her impressive. But the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and dreams up new punishments for them. Matilda finds a clever and courageous way to possibly become the school's saving grace. With high-energy and songs such as "Naughty", "Revolting Children", and "Quiet", Matilda offers a thrilling time at the theater. Jesse Cline directs, with Christian Ryan doing choreography.

For the holiday season, November 13 to January 12, "Elf: The Musical" will delight families and audiences of all ages. Based on the classic Will Ferrell comedy film, the show invites everyone to embrace their inner elf. A young orphan named Buddy crawls into Santa's bag and suddenly finds himself at the North Pole where he is raised as an elf. Songs include "Never Fall In Love With An Elf" and "World's Greatest Dad". Christian Ryan directs and choreographs, with Resident Music Director Ben Kapilow overseeing the music and orchestra pit.

January 29 to February 23 is reserved for a musical that will be new to many as it is rarely produced. It's "Eleanor: An American Love Story" and it chronicles the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, the shy young aristocrat who became one of the most legendary First Ladies of all time. With warmth, humor, and insight audiences will see the story of her relationship with Franklin and the courage that led to her emergence as a catalyst for social change. Thomas Tierny and John Forster wrote the music and lyrics, with a book by Jonathon Bolt. Songs include "How The Other Half Lives", "Our Beautiful Daughters", and "The New Century Walk".

The start of Spring is the perfect time for a musical entitled "Baby". It's on the historic stage March 11-29. From the acclaimed duo of Richard Maltby and David Shire, it explores how parents-to-be experience emotional stresses and triumphs, as well as the lows and somewhat comedic highs that accompany the anticipation and arrival of a baby. Songs include "Fatherhood Blues", "We Start Today", and "I Want It All".

One of Broadway's longest-running shows arrives at Delaware County's only professional music theatre. It's "Mamma Mia!" (April 15-June 15). Filled with the greatest hits of ABBA, it's a light-hearted romp on a Greek island paradise. A young woman searches for her birth father when three men from her mother's past pay a visit. The timeless and incredibly popular songs propel the story forward which also features memorable dance numbers. The score includes "Dancing Queen", "The Winner Takes It All", and the legendary title song.

Subscriptions are now available, as well as individual tickets for all shows. Visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100 for more information. 

The Media Theatre for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization that has been operating as the only professional theatre in Delaware County since the year 2000. Located in downtown Media on beautiful State St., The Media Theatre was originally constructed in 1927 as a vaudeville house also featuring “talkies”. The ornate physical structure of the Media Theatre certainly represents the historic presence and unique value of downtown Media. In 1993, Walter Strine Sr. purchased the theatre and undertook a massive renovation of over $1 million which restored the theatre to its former aesthetic glory. Throughout the 90s, the theatre was run as a for-profit business under the management of Rockwell Productions. However, there was a small wing of theatre lovers that formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called the Society for the Performing Arts of the Media Theatre.

In 2000 when Rockwell Productions abandoned the theatre and its production of live entertainment, the Society stepped in, took over management, and established The Media Theatre as it is today. Producing five musicals each year, the current Broadway Series provides opportunities to gain new audiences and strengthen the support of current patrons and old friends.

THE MEDIA THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST OF 'MATILDA' FALL SEASON OPENER

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Songs include "Quiet", "Naughty", "My House", and "Revolting Children".

The Media Theatre's cast features two of its students as Matilda. Sydney Amos of Aston and Zoe Nesbitt of Drexel Hill will share the role.

The role of Miss Trunchbull will be inhabited by Kelly Briggs, a Broadway World Award-winning actor and cabaret performer. Briggs was seen on Broadway in Les Miserables and Cats.

ACTOR KELLY BRIGGS (LEFT) WILL PLAY MISS TRUNCHBULL. HE IS PICTURED HERE WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JESSE CLINE, WHO DIRECTS 'MATILDA' THIS FALL.

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood will be brought to life by JP Dunphy and Deborah Lynn Meier. Dunphy has appeared in several musicals at The Media Theatre in the past six years, while Meier was seen in Dogfight three seasons back. Megan Ruggles will appear for the first time on Media's stage as Miss Honey.

New York City's Jordan Dallam will make his Media debut as Rudolpho, and Tamara Anderson (recently seen in Saturday Night Fever) will be Mrs. Phelps.

The Ensemble consists of Rita Castagna, Topher Layton, Kim Senisi, Amanda Shaffern, Angel Sigala, and Roger Ricker.

But Matilda: The Musical is not a show without the cast of children and young actors who play Little and Big Kids. The Media Theatre and Artistic Director Jesse Cline (who is directing the show) have conjured up a strong group of Kids. Christian Ryan choreographs, with Resident Music Director Ben Kapilow overseeing the music and orchestra pit.

The Little Kids are:

Matilda.......Sydney Amos and Zoe Nesbitt

Bruce..........Greyson Heneks and Jacob Shapiro

Lavender....Natalie Amos and Rachel Durham 

Amanda......Lily Jo Shelkin and Reese Massiello

Nigel...........Aidan Crane and Elliott Boldin (winner of "Vocalist Junior 2019")

Hortensia...Lila Bea Hannon and Chloe Tomaszewski

Eric............Aidan Fox and Kevin Olive

Alice..........Madeline Garson and Amaia Truong

Tommy.......Charlie Carroccio and Preston Newton

Freya..........Lucy Amos and Sutton Gold

The Big Kids are:

Michael Wormwood....Zachary Amos and Nolan Murphy 

Ensemble: Zachary Amos, Elizabeth Brown, Caileigh Crane, Emma Fox, Josie Intham, Alexsa McKeown, Nolan Murphy, Madison Van Horn, Mae Weaver

Matilda: The Musical tickets are now on sale. 

The show plays October 2 to October 27.

610-891-0100

mediatheatre.org

DELAWARE COUNTY COUNCILMAN KEVIN MADDEN VISITS MEDIA THEATRE'S 'VOCALIST'

Eleven finalists in the Media Theatre's Vocalist contest discussed their theater aspirations with guest judge Kevin Madden, a Delaware County councilman, and Artistic Director Jesse Cline during the July 17th segment of the theater's annual summer singing competition.

The finale is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, when the contestants will vie for the title of "The Vocalist 2019".

Members of the public are invited to come out and cheer for their favorite performer, and vote online.

The contestants are Sophia Cotrotsios, Julia Degruchy, Brooke Falls, Samantha Hocker, Josie Intham, Paul Mariani, Teanna Rico, Zagara Sims, JJ Vavrik and Mary Kate Vink and Paul Vink.

For details call the theater at 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org