Musical honors Douglassville teen killed in crash last year
‘Dear Edwina Jr.’ honors Maddie Cunningham’s legacy of kindness and inclusion
1st Street Players in Birdsboro will honor the legacy of a teen by performing a joyful youth musical.
“Maddie Cunningham was the kind of person who would sit next to the kid eating their lunch by themselves,” the 1st Street Players said in a statement. “She embraced people of all abilities. In her 19 years, she touched more lives than some people who live to 100.”
Cunningham, 19, of Douglassville, was killed in a crash while riding her bicycle in Delaware in June 2021. She had just completed her freshman year at Kutztown University and was an alumna of Daniel Boone Area School District.
“The Kutztown (University) student and Douglassville resident died tragically in an accident last June, and now 1st Street Players, the theater where she spent countless hours backstage and onstage, is honoring her legacy of kindness and inclusion by performing a musical in her honor.”
“Dear Edwina Jr.” is the first Maddie Cunningham Memorial Youth Production, which will become an annual event.
The musical focuses on Edwina Spoonapple, a spunky advice-giver who wants to earn her spot in the Kalamazoo Advicea-palooza. When a talent scout comes to her hometown of PawPaw, Michigan, Edwina plans a special edition of The Dear Edwina Show. Edwina enlists the help of family and friends to wow the talent scout and finally step out of the shadow of her talented siblings.
A heartwarming and humorous tale about self-acceptance, “Dear Edwina Jr.” is a show the whole family will love.
Part of the proceeds from the show will fund educational programs at 1st Street.
“Maddie Cunningham wanted to be a special education teacher, and the funds from the show will help the small theater create more inclusive programming.”
Performances are on May 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. as well as May 15 and May 22 at 2 p.m. 1st Street Players is located at 301 E. First St., Birdsboro. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children.