Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based, professional children’s theater company, will begin its 25th Anniversary Season with an imaginative adaption of the Lewis Carroll story ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Adapted by Storybook’s Artistic Director, Patricia Goldberg, with music and lyrics by resident composer Jeff Reim. The musical first plays at at the Gratz College Theater from December 20 to December 30 and then concludes its run at St. Joseph’s University from January 10 to January 14. Tickets are $12 for children, $14 for adults with school and group discounts available. For reservations and further information: 215-659-8550 or www.storybookmusical.org.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND tells the story of a young girl, impatiently waiting waiting for her tea, who drifts off to sleep. Her reality mixes with her dreams, and once she steps through the looking glass, she encounters some very strange and colorful characters. As she tries to find her way back home, she becomes entangles in the characters eccentric adventures.
In the title role of Alice is Kit Niesen, of Ambler. She is making her Storybook debut in Alice. Local credits include: Urinetown for Jenkintown Music Theatre, Man of La Mancha and Little Women for the Barn Playhouse, Into the Woods for Narberth Community Theater. International credits: The Producers for Oxford Operatic Society and Plaza Suite for Oxford Theatre Guild, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Bill Fitzpatrick, of West Chester, plays the puzzling Caterpillar and the sometimes out of control Mad Hatter. Previous Storybook credits: The Wizard of Oz, Dancing Princesses, Puss ‘N Boots, Pinocchio, Rapunzel, and The Frog Prince. He has also been seen at the NYC Musical Theatre Festival, the Arden Theatre Company, and American Historical Theater. Favorite roles include Finch in How to Succeed . . . and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.
David Mulholland of Bristol, PA. plays the frantic and always late, White Rabbit. Mulholland was seen last season on Storybook’s stage as the Father in Beauty and the Beast and the Ogre in Jack & the Beanstalk. Other Storybook credits include: Pinocchio, The Frog Prince, Little Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood, Aladdin, The Emperor’s New Clothes and many more. Regional credits: Proof at Act Out Theater, Big River at Mt. Gretna Playhouse, Our Town at Delaware Theater Company and The Snow Queen at the Prince Music Theater.
In the role of the Knave, who makes the mistake of painting the Quen’s white roses red, is Geoffrey Bruen, of Center City. He was seen last season on our stage as the Tinman in Wizard of Oz. He has appeared in Passion at the Arden Theatre Co., My Fair Lady at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman and Les Miserables at the Media Theatre. Favorite roles include Pip in Great Expectations at STAGES Theater, Freddy in My Fair Lady and Sam Feinschriber in Awake and Sing at South Camden Theatre Co.
Aileen Goldberg, of Upper Darby, plays both Alice’s oldeer sister and the slightly deranged Duchess, who thinks a pig is her baby. Aileen was seen as Dorothy, last season in Storybook’s The Wizard of Oz and one of Beauty’s sisters in Beauty and the Beast. Other Storybook credits: The Frog Prince, Adventures in Toyland, Alice in Wonderland and Aladdin. Regional credits: The Divorcee’s Club at Penn’s Landing Playhouse, How to Succeed…at Olney Theater Center, 42nd Street at Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Sweeney Todd at City Theatre Co.
The mad and manic Queen of Hearts is played by Kelly Filios, of Philadelphia, is making her Storybook debut in Alice. Regional credits include: Shakespeare in Song at the Delaware Shakespeare Festival, Jane and the Humongous Pear at the Eagle Theatre, PIFA: Kinetic Tree at the Kimmel Center, Birthday Sax at Job’s Pub at The Public Theater, The Addams Family at the Edinburgh Fringe. Kelly holds a Masters in Musical Theatre from the Royal Conservatoire Scotland. She is trained as an aerialist, specializing in aerial silks and trapeze.
Rounding out the cast is Storybook veteran Faith Sherman of Dublin, PA. plays the always elusive Cheshire Cat and forever sleepy Dormouse. She was seen last season on Storybook’s stage as the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz. Other Storybook credits: Pinnochio, Aladdin, Snow White, Emperor’s New Clothes, Rapunzel. In addition, she is an Instructor for Storybook’s Children’s Classes and an Artist/Teacher with its outreach literacy program, Page to Stage.
The Gratz College Theater is located at Melrose Avenue and Old York Road in Melrose Park, PA. The Bluett Theater, of St. Joseph’s University, is located at 56th & Overbrook Avenue in Philadelphia.
The director of ALICE IN WONDERLAND is Patricia Goldberg. Musical Director is Jeff Reim, with costumes by Kim Hanley, sets by Pat Goldberg and lighting by Marc S. Goldberg.
Show times December 20 to 23 at 10:15 am, December 24, 26 to 30 at 11:00 am. Call for January times.
Storybook productions are appropriate for children age three and older. After each performance children have the opportunity to meet the actors for a handshake, picture or autograph.
For information, reservations or directions call: 215-659-8550 or www.storybookmusical.org.
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PHOTO CUTLINE: Tea Time! Time for Tea! Alice, played by Kit Niesen, is bewildered by the antics of the Mad Hatter, played by Bill Fitzpatrick and the Dormouse, play by Faith Sherman, in the Storybook Musical Theatre production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND.
Photo by Mike Levin
EDITORS: If interested in interviews with actors, please contact Marc S. Goldberg, Executive Director at 215-659-8550.
Theater/Organization Storybook Musical Theatre
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.storybookmusical.org
Theater/Organization Address: 1811 Edge Hill Rd. p.O. Box 473 Abington, Pennsylvania 19001 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (215) 659-8550
