Victoria Mayo, Lauren Cupples & More to Lead Media's WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?

Media Music Theatre Company, the producing arm of the Broadway Series at The Media Theatre, has its next musical coming up February 26-March 30. It's Roger Bean's "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" and the cast features four young ladies who are familiar to Media's audiences.

Victoria Mayo, who received critical acclaim in last season's "Hairspray" as Tracy Turnblad, portrays the role of Millie in another '60's themed musical. Millie's a bride-to-be in the show. All of the action takes place in her apartment during a bachelorette party with her three best friends. During the evening, the four ladies discuss their love lives which inspires them to sing many '60's hits including the title song, "I Will Follow Him", "Hey There Lonely Boy", and "A Little Bit of Soap".

Mayo is now based in Manhattan, but will return home to Delaware County during the musical's five week run. Aside from playing Tracy Turnblad, Victoria was also seen in Media's "Spring Awakening" as Thea. She's been an actress for most of her life as her mother, Carmela, owns and operates a dance studio. "I'm looking forward to bringing life to the fun role of Millie," Victoria said. "And working at Media is an added bonus since it puts me close to Mom."

Lauren Cupples returns to Media's stage following her run as The Narrator in "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". She plays Florence in the show which she describes as "a female doo-wop musical, similar to "Forever Plaid" with its humor and familiar harmonies". She won the first "Delco Idol" contest at The Media Theatre in 2005 and since then has performed there frequently and has performed in Florida and other areas on the East Coast.

Ashli Rian Rice, seen in "Hairspray" and "Rent" at Media, returns in the role of Sally. She's performed at the Apollo Theatre and Kennedy Center. One of her proudest moments was singing the National Anthem for the NSCAA Convention at the PA Convention Center in Philadelphia. She's been in productions elsewhere, including "All Shook Up" at the Ritz and the Asian International Tour of "Fame".

Megan Rucidlo, also of Delco and Manahattan, takes on the fun role of Dee Dee. She's just been seen in Media's "Joseph" musical over the past holiday season and before that was in "Spamalot" and "Dr. Dolittle". Rucidlo stays busy in Media when not in a Broadway Series production as the choreographer for its New School, a conservatory-style music theatre education program for ages 8 and up. She's been in the television movie "Deadly Affairs" with Emmy winner Susan Lucci and regionally in productions of "Dames at Sea", "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!" and "I Do, I Do".

Media's production of "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" is a regional Philadelphia premiere. It's directed and choreographed by Broadway World Award winner Dann Dunn. Music direction is by Scott Anthony, who also instructs Media Music Theatre Company's New School. Costumes are by Whitney Rayl, with lights by Robert Towarnicki on a set design by Robert White.

For tickets to "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100. The rockin' '60's musical inspires with its focus on friendship and classic tunes. Matinee and evening performances February 26-March 30.

Pictured: Victoria Mayo