Media Theatre to Host Annual Gala in February

Delaware County and the Philadelphia/ Wilmington region are invited to "Illuminate The Night" with The Media Theatre's annual Gala evening Saturday February 21.

The 7pm event this year highlights the professional award-winning music theatre's contributions to the cultural landscape of the Delaware Valley and beyond, as patrons and supporters will experience a memorable one-night only concert, two unique cocktail receptions, an awards ceremony, and a live auction. The entire evening enhances and solidifies the Media Music Theatre Company's (MMTC) status as Philly's only year-round professional music theatre. MMTC is the non-profit organization which produces the entire Broadway Series, Children's Series, and educational opportunities including Camp Media Theatre.

The educational opportunities have grown exponentially in the past decade, to the point that MMTC will have its own separate Media Theatre School and Dance Studio on State Street, with a grand opening set for Spring 2015. Voice lessons and various genres of dance will be available for study at the new studio as well as the continuing acting classes, piano lessons, and New School. The "Illuminate The Night" Gala supports each of these programs as well as the Broadway Series.

The evening is at once a fundraiser and a celebration. To that end, Broadway's Tony nominated actress Ann Crumb, the recent winner of the Philadelphia Theatre Critic's award as Best Actress in A Musical for her acclaimed performance in last season's "Sunset Boulevard", will entertain audiences. She is joined by three cast member's of this season's "Les Miserables" (Lauren Cupples, Sarah Moya, Sean Thompson) and Garrison Carpenter, who makes his Media Theatre debut. The Youth Ensemble will also perform several numbers.

Special awards will be given to individuals and organizations that have been consistent supporters and advocates for the production company's mission which is 'to promote and nurture the imagination, diversity, and joy unique to music theatre by the production of new and classic works; to herald music theatre to young people as an art form that is relevant to their lives and to foster an understanding by them that it is indigenous to their cultural heritage'.

The prestigious Walter M. Strine, Sr., Award is also referred to as the Advocate of the Arts Award. It is named after the entrepreneur who renovated The Media Theatre and transformed it into a live performing arts center in 1994. This year's honoree is Ramona Gwynn. She joins previous honorees whose support has assisted in the theatre being able to make improvements, gain a wider audience, and continue to expand its educational opportunities.

Convergent Technologies, Incorporated will receive the Community Partnership Award. A sponsor of the upcoming "The Miracle Worker", CTI has been a silent partner in marketing opportunities for MMTC the past few years.

Gala evenings represent the perfect time of year to show support by being a sponsor or purchasing single tickets.

"Illuminate the Night" has Glow, Shine, and Sparkle Sponsorship packages available at www.mediatheatre.org, plus a Gala Lite opportunity which is a two-ticket package for the occasion.

Not simply a beautiful structure steeped in history, The Media Theatre is now known worldwide as the home of The Media Music Theatre Company created by the visionary artistic direction of Mr. Jesse Cline. Cline and his staff of creative designers and directors have been awarded over 20 "Best Of" honors from prestigious media outlets such as Broadway World, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Daily News, Main Line Today Magazine, DelcoNewsNetwork, and the Delaware County Daily Times.

For tickets or information, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

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