DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, SUNSET BOULEVARD and More Set for Media Theatre's 2014 Season

It's time to say goodbye to the past calendar year and hello to 2014! Theatre seasons, of course, extend from September to May. With that in mind, here's a quick glance of the second half of Media Music Theatre Company's current 20th anniversary season.

Classic titles take the forefront, with one of the most beloved plays of all time starting off in January. "The Diary of Anne Frank" plays January 29 to February 16. The show, based on the actual writings of a young Anne Frank during her time with her family in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam, is directed by MMTC's Artistic Director Jesse Cline. It features Anastasia Korbal in the title role. Korbal is a 14 year old member of Actors Equity Association with quite a resume--she's already appeared in several National Tours including "Les Miserables" and "Annie" at Madison Square Garden. The entire show has a cast of professional actors and is a part of MMTC's Broadway Series.

The youth series production in February is a classic tale of a different kind. In "Rumplestiltskin", Jim Conte plays the familiar role. This time, he's a humorously mean wizard out to trick an entire bankrupt village with his scheme of turning straw into gold. The cast is a mix of adult actors with New School students. It's a fun, quickly paced musical for ages 4 and up with weekend performances in February.

The next Broadway Series musical follows with "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" playing February 26 to March 30. It's a new show, but in the 'classic' category due to its score: each song is a famous 1960's radio tune. As four ladies at a bachelorette party discuss their love lives and enjoy some wine they break into song throughout the upbeat production. Songs include "I Will Follow Him", "Hey There Lonely Boy" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me".

An iconic children's series book comes to life onstage in March, April, and May with weekend performances. The first area production of "Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark" is the popular story of Jack and Annie, two siblings who are taken back in time to meet Triceratops, Anatosauras, T-Rex and other ancient creatures. The musical is based on the first of Mary Pope Osborne's popular book series.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard", based on the classic film about the silent movie star who believes her comeback is on the horizon, is April 19 to May 17. It is the final Broadway Series title of MMTC's current season and the first professional production of the Tony winning musical in the Philadelphia region. Time magazine says it is "Lloyd Webber's most artfully constructed score".

To take us into the summer months, one of the most popular classics will delight children of all ages. Disney's "Cinderella" is on stage in June, July, and August. Based on the legendary animated film, the score features "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes", plenty of cute mice, funny stepsisters, and the young lady who meets her Prince.

For tickets and information on each of these wonderful classics, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.