Media Theatre plans gala to mark 25th anniversary
Media Theatre is planning to celebrate as it marks 25 years of professional theatre on State Street.
On Saturday night March
30 The Media Theatre marquee will light up State Street as the award-winning professional music theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Silver Anniversary is the theme for the music theatre company’s annual gala, its biggest fundraiser of the year.
It was 25 years ago that the marquee was illuminated with the first-ever professional musical production in Media, “My Fair Lady.” A sold-out crowd of Delaware County and Philadelphia personalities, politicians and influential names attended the opening night. Tony-nominated Broadway actress Ann Crumb introduced “Philadelphia’s newest professional musical stage” to roaring applause.
Rockwell Productions, with Artistic Director Jesse Cline, was a for-profit entity at the time. Walter Strine, Sr. of Media Real Estate, had the vision to renovate the old movie house as a live performing arts center, and chose “My Fair Lady” as the first production in honor of his loving wife, Elizabeth.
Each season, within a
12-month period, six professional musicals were staged.
During this time period, from 1994 forward, there was also a not-for-profit entity – The Society For the Performing Arts of The Media Theatre. The Society, through fundraising, produced The Media Theatre’s Children’s Series, Concerts, and Special Events.
In December of 2000, Rockwell Productions produced its final musical. Artistic Director Jesse Cline remained as the head of the non-profit entity (The Society for The Performing Arts). He and his life partner, Executive Director Patrick Ward, began producing professional musicals with the assistance of Walter Strine, Sr., so that The Media Theatre would continue to operate as a full-fledged Broadway style house for classic and new musicals.
In 2003, Strine sold the historic Media Theatre with a combination of state and local grants to the Borough of Media.
As a non-profit professional music theatre company and with Jesse Cline as its visionary, The Media Theatre has become nationally recognized. Performers in its musicals have included Emmy Winner Wanda Sykes, who appeared as Miss Hannigan in
2010’s “Annie.” Other marquee names have included Tony nominee Ann Crumb (“Master Class”, “Wings”, “Souvenir”, “Sunset Boulevard”), American Idol’s Justin Guarini (“Chicago”), and the legendary Andrea McArdle (“Mame”, “Hello Dolly”).
An integral part of Cline’s vision and mission is the educational component of The Media Theatre. In the year
2000, as the company became a non-profit, he created and established Camp Media Theatre, a summer day camp learning experience for ages 5-14. Initially a four week camp, the summer event grew in popularity each year, and now offers ten weeks of camp (five twoweek sessions).
At the annual gala benefit on March 30, which includes a reception prior to the evening’s entertainment, these programs will be highlighted and celebrated. Special guests will speak, and honorees will assist The Media Theatre in looking forward to the future as they receive acknowledgement for helping to make the first 25 years successful. The main honoree of the night will be Delaware County’s Jack Holefelder, who has been an ambassador for The Media Theatre for over two decades in various capacities.
To join The Media Theatre at its 25th Anniversary Benefit Gala Event on March 30, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. Tickets are $150 per person, which includes the reception, onenight-only concert event, and much more.
Tickets on sale for Amvets chili cook-off
The Son of Amvets will hold their 7th annual Chili Cook-off 2-6 pm. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Amvets Post, 211 N. Morton Ave., Morton. All are invited. Sponsors and tasters are needed. Cost is $25 for tickets which includes all-you-can-eat chili and draft beer. Cooks complete for trophies and bragging rights, and the attendees are the judges. For tickets or information call the Amvets at 610-543-9551.
History of Motown presentation comes to Marple Library
The Marple Public Library will present “A History of Motown,” a lecture and performance with entertainer Jon Turk 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20. The free one-hour program will be part performance and part lecture. People can learn about the history of Motown and celebrate its contribution to American music.
Space is limited so advanced registration is requested. To register for this event, call 610-356-1510. The Marple Public Library is at the corner of Sproul and Springfield Rds., Broomall.
Sliders offers free sports memorabilia appraisal event
The Opening of Sliders Sports Bar at 17 South Morton Ave., Morton, will help local residents answer that nagging question of “I wonder how much my Sports Memorabilia is worth?” Anyone with an item or collection that could have moderate or considerable value, can bring it to Sliders to get a knowledgeable estimate at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2.
Ron Oser, a leading expert from the east coast offices of Huggins & Scott, one of the country’s leading sports memorabilia auction houses located in Silver Spring, Md., will be at Sliders to share his over thirty years of experience in the sports collectibles field. Whether someone has sports cards, autographs, programs, ticket stubs, game used jerseys and equipment, or any other sports related pieces from the 1880s to
1980s, they can bring them to get a fair and realistic estimate of the current market value of any sports memorabilia that they have. There is no charge for this service.
For anyone interested, Oser will also accept consignment items for Huggins and Scott Auction House for their upcoming 2019 auctions. For more information, call Jim Vankoski, curator of the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum at 610-909-4919 or email
vankoski21@comcast.net/.