Adam Halpin, Morgan James, et al. Set for 'One Night Only' Fundraiser

A newly formed organization, the Delaware River Theatre Collective, has announced its intention to bring professional theatre back to the towns of New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey. Along with the goal of presenting quality theatrical productions for the region is the establishment of a permanent venue to house ongoing performances, such as the historic Bucks County Playhouse. It has been months since Stonebridge Bank foreclosed on the decades old Bucks County Playhouse and despite proclamations from a number of groups that it would be purchased, renovated, and reopened in time for the 2011 Summer season, little has been done.

On Monday, July 18, 2011 at 8 pm, the Delaware River Theatre Collective will hold a fundraising concert entitled "One Night Only" at the Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School Auditorium, 180 W. Bridge Street in New Hope, PA. The concert will consist of musical theatre showstoppers performed by Broadway actors including: Adam Halpin (Glory Days, Rent), Rodney Hicks (Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar), Morgan James (Addams Family, Wonderland), Brian Ogilvie (Mary Poppins), Laura Beth Wells (Spider-Man) and other industry professionals including some Playhouse alumni: JorDan Brennan, Lauren Brownstein, Nicole Calabrese, David Campbell, Zachary Clause, Jennifer Harrison, Jennifer Lameo, Adam Levinskas, Jill Palena, Louis Palena, Jihyen Park, Jenny Pilong, Marrick Smith and Dana Winkle.

Broadway show cards autographed by the casts of Anything Goes, The Book of Mormon, Catch Me If You Can, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Motherfu**er with the Hat, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act, Spider-Man and War Horse will also be auctioned off with all proceeds going toward the Collective's future goal of securing a performance space.

Artistic Director, Richard Amelius said, "Performers came out of the woodwork to help but many couldn't physically be with us on the 18th. These posters and some video testimonials are expressions of solidarity from our fellow actors. New Hope, Lambertville and the other river communities of this area are so rich in art that the absence of theatre is really sad. This region deserves a professional theatre company and more importantly, they want one. We stand united in the effort to give it to them, inside the Bucks County Playhouse or otherwise. We also hope to generate interest within the communities, reach out to the other organizations and build a collective that will make this possible."

The Delaware River Theatre Collective's "One Night Only" fundraising concert will be held at the Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School on Monday, July 18, 2011 beginning at 8 pm. Seating for the event will be general admission and donations begin at $25 per person. Reservations can be made by emailing: info@delawarerivertheatrecollective.org.