The Media Theatre has Holiday Fun for Everyone

The holidays are here, and The Media Theatre is saying "Be Our Guest" for the season with its Broadway Series presenting a classic Disney Broadway musical , a children's show that is also fun for adults, and a Winter Break Camp for kids.

Disney's "Beauty And The Beast" is live on stage now through January 14, with a cast of professional actors and a live orchestra. Based on the Academy Award winning film, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.

"Beauty And The Beast" is directed and choreographed by Dann Dunn and features Alanna J. Smith as Belle, with Jarrett Jay Yoder as The Beast. Villanova's JP Dunphy is Lumiere, with Barrymore Award winning actress Hillary Parker of Springfield as Mrs. Potts. Two tiny Delaware County boys, Charlie Carroccio of Newtown Square and Adrian Henry of Havertown, share the role of Chip. Both are students at The Media Theatre, taking part in its Acting Classes and New School Education Program.

The Media Theatre's Children's Series is a great introduction to live music theatre for ages 4 and up. "Jack Frost Saves Christmas" is the tale that is told each weekend, Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at Noon, Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. The story focuses on Jack, a boy who tries to hide the fact that he is unique because everything he touches turns to ice. But with friendship and love, he (and an entire town he comes across) learn the true meaning of the holidays. With a solid lesson of acceptance, "Jack Frost" is an entertaining hour long production with audience participation. Austy Hicks, of Wayne, plays the role of Jack, with Media's Roger Ricker as Mr. Holly and Prospect Park policeman Henry O' Neill as Santa.

Educating young actors is a large part of The Media Theatre's mission. "Winter Break Camp" continues the discovery of theatre for four days (Dec. 26-29). The Camp meets from 8am to 1pm each day, culminating in a performance on The Media Theatre stage Friday night Dec. 29. During the camp, ages 5 through 11 will discover theatre while singing popular songs and learning basic choreographed movement. They'll also take part in semi-improvised acting scenes, during which they assist in writing the scene with the guidance of a professional theatre instructor.

To register for Winter Break Camp, get tickets for "Jack Frost", or see Disney's "Beauty And The Beast", visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100.

Pictured: JP Dunphy as Lumiere in Disney's "Beauty And The Beast". Photo by Greg Carroccio