MEDIA THEATRE ANNOUNCES 'ELF' CAST

Remember how that movie "Elf" starring Will Ferrell made you laugh? And how heartwarming it was? Well, "Elf" is also a Broadway musical, and it's coming to The Media Theatre this holiday season (November 13-January 12). Christian Ryan directs and choreographs. Ben Kapilow is Resident Music Director.

Elf The Musical is a must-see holiday treat . Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

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. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

At The Media Theatre, the role of Buddy The Elf will be played by Chicago's Josh Houghton. He resides in Chicago, but enjoys performing all over the States. This will be his Media debut.

One of Philadelphia's brightest stars, Krissy Fraelich, returns to Media's stage as Emily Hobbs. Another well known Philadelphia actor, Bob Stineman, plays her husband Walter. Media Theatre student Aidan Crane will share the role of their son Michael with Alex Hamel.

Kelly Briggs takes on the dual role of Santa and Mr. Greenway.

For show information, dates and times, etc., please visit mediatheatre.org. ELF is on November 13, 2019 to January 12, 2020.

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The complete cast is:

Buddy- Josh Houghton*

Jovie- Megan McDevitt

Walter Hobbs - Bob Stineman*

Emily Hobbs - Krissy Fraelich*

Michael Hobbs - Aidan Crane/ Alex Hamel

Santa/ Greenway - Kelly Briggs*

Deb - Emily Derrick*

Store Manager - Ryane Nicole Studivant*

Fake Santa/ Ensemble - Roger Ricker*

The Ensemble, playing everything from Elves to Townspeople to Fake Santas, also consists of Alyssa Arcangeli, Dante Brattelli, Gabrielle Impriano, Hannah Mehl, Jacob Schrimpf, Angel Sigala, Andy Spinosi, and Grace Szczepkowski.

*Member of Actors Equity Association

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER TO BE HONORED DURING MEDIA THEATRE'S 'MATILDA'

During the run of The Media Theatre's production of Broadway's hit show "Matilda: The Musical" which is based on Roald Dahl's book, a teacher from the region will be honored each Wednesday night. All educators will be able to attend the show at 7pm each Wednesday for just $25.

The musical's narrative centers on Matilda, a precocious girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life.

To nominate your favorite teacher from a Delaware County district, send in a 100 word or less testimonial, stating why your favorite teacher should become a Teacher Of The Week during the run of "Matilda: The Musical" (October 2-27).

Nominations will be accepted up through October 2. Please email submissions to Roger Ricker at rer764@gmail.com. Teachers will be honored each Wednesday before the 7pm show (Oct. 2, 9, 16, and 23).

THREE COMMUNITY LEADERS JOIN THE MEDIA THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Talent Abounds On and Offstage 

as Community Leaders Join Media Theatre's Board

              

               The creative talent that abounds at the Media Theatre will soon be supported by the civic talents of three outstanding members of the Delaware County business community who are joining the theatre’s board of directors. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge from the tourism, government and business sectors of Delaware County to this cultural asset in Media.

Three Delaware County civic leaders who have joined the board of directors
of the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts are (from left):
Michael Van Horn, executive assistant to the president of Exelon Power;
Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco, Pa.;
and Kevin Madden, Delaware County councilman and businessman.

             The board welcomes Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco, Pa., Kevin Madden, Delaware County councilman and businessman, and Michael Van Horn, executive assistant to the president of Exelon Power.

            All three men have spent time at the theater, both as audience members and benefactors. They recently visited with young participants in the theatre’s summer camp program.

            Byrne’s tourism and visitor’s bureau collaborates with the theatre staff to attract people to the Media community where audiences also patronize shops and restaurants.

            Madden, an elected official who serves the 560,000 residents of the county, was a celebrity judge during the 2019 Vocalist competition, and he is a proponent of economic development across the county.

            Van Horn is a benefactor of theatre programs, especially those involving youth, and is a graduate of Williamson College of the Trades where theatre founder Walter Strine attended school.

            “We are thrilled that these men, who are pillars in the local community, will lend their time and talent to our theatre board,” said Artistic Director Jesse Cline. “As the theatre celebrates its 25^th anniversary, I look forward to hearing their ideas on how we can sustain our live theatre experience for the next 25 years. The staff here is grateful that these men are willing to volunteer their time and talent to support the creativity, educational experiences, cultural enrichment and economic development that takes place on and offstage at the theatre.”

            The Media Theatre, Delco’s only professional theatre, brings the excitement of live theater to local residents. Right now, patrons can stroll down memory lane with the staging of the musical, “Forever Plaid,” running through August 25.

            In October, people of ages will enjoy the precocious antics of “Matilda.”

            On Sept. 14, Roger Ricker will stage his annual fundraiser, “We are Family,” focusing on how the theatre is a family to young and old alike.

            The theatre, built in 1927 as a movie theatre, included dressing rooms with the thought that movies were a fad. The Media Theatre is the second largest employer in Media after Delaware County government.

            For more information about the Media Theatre, call 610-891-0100 or visit the website at www.mediatheatre.org.

             

VETERANS SUMMER CELEBRATION AT MEDIA THEATRE WITH 'FOREVER PLAID' AUG. 17

Area Veterans will have a special night at The Media Theatre on Saturday, August 17. The Veteran's Summer Celebration will begin with a reception at 6pm in the theatre's elegant Crystal Room, followed at 7pm by a performance of "Forever Plaid" on the historic stage. Tickets are just $30 each which includes the reception and show.

Ed Buffman, of the PA Veterans Museum, chats with guests at a previous Veteran's Night in The Media Theatre's Crystal Room.

Forever Plaid celebrates the delightfully goofy reincarnation of four male singers who were in a car crash on the way to their first big concert and now, miraculously, revived for a plaid-fabulous time. Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations, the Plaids are guaranteed to smash with a series of well-loved songs and right-on patter that keep audiences laughing when they aren’t humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the ’50s. Songs include "Sixteen Tons", "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", "Three Coins In The Fountain", and more.

The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum and The Media Theatre invite all area and regional Veterans to attend this Summer Celebration. 

The reception will feature complimentary wine, beer, and delicious pasta from Fellini Cafe of Media.

For tickets to the August 17 event at The Media Theatre, call 610-891-0100 and mention Veterans Summer Celebration.