Press Release: Broadway’s Joseph Spieldenner Leads Star-Studded Cast of Media Theatre’s Carousel
The Media Theatre, a professional theatre company located 15 miles from Center City Philadelphia, is kicking off their 2017-18 season with a brand new production of Carousel. The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which features Broadway’s Joseph Spieldenner as Billy Bigelow, will play the historic venue from September 20 through October 22, 2017. Press are invited to the opening night performance on Friday, September 22 at 8PM (or other performances if needed).
The tale revolves around a love affair between Billy Bigelow, a travelling carnival man, and Julie Jordan, a local factory worker. Desperate for money after learning that he is soon to become a father, Billy is killed during an attempted robbery. Several years later, when he is allowed to return to earth for a short time, he seeks out the daughter of his union with Julie. The score includes memorable tunes “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” “If I Loved You,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” In 1999, Time magazine named Carousel the “Best Musical of the Century.”
The Media Theatre production will feature Broadway’s Joseph Spieldenner (Les Miserables) as Billy, Maxwell Porterfield (Sparkling City Light Opera, Opera del West) as Julie Jordan, Madalyn St. John (Arden Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre) as Carrie, and Elisa Matthews (Arden Theatre Company, Bristol Riverside Theatre) as Nettie. The full cast is listed below.
Carousel will be directed by The Media Theatre’s Artistic Director Jesse Cline, and will feature unique video elements that will be infused throughout the production. Music direction is by Ben Kapilow. Dann Dunn choreographs.
Carousel plays September 20 through October 22. For tickets call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.
For interviews or press tickets, please email Bryan Buttler at bryanbuttler@gmail.com. In your request, please indicate an estimated date of when your piece may run. Also, please send any online links when they are published. Thank you!
DETAILS:
The Media Theatre Presents Carousel
September 20, 2017 through October 22, 2017
Wednesdays 2 & 7:30PM, Thursdays at 7:30PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2 & 8PM, Sundays at 3PM, $25-$53
The Media Theatre
104 East State Street
Media, PA
CAST:
Billy Bigelow…..Joseph Spieldenner
Julie Jordan…..Maxwell Porterfield
Carrie……………..Madalyn St. John
Jigger………………Carl Smith
Mrs. Mullins……Susan Mattson
Nettie Fowler…..Elisa Matthews
Mr. Snow………….George Slotin
Enoch Snow Jr/ Ensemble….Austy Hicks
Starkeeper……….Jim Conte
Louise………………..Beada Briglia
Mr. Bascomb…….Kelly Briggs
Carnival Boy….Willem Guenther
The Ensemble: Todd Berkich, Dante Brattelli, Madalaina D’Angelo, Sarah Jane Knoblich, Sam Nagel, Dana Orange, Kristin Smith, Liam Snead, Cara Treacy, Erika Wasko, and Tasha Waters.
Snow Children……..Group One: Charlie Carroccio, Zachary Divito, Savanna Galloway, Mary Katherine Schwartz, Amanda Treston. Group Two: Sutton Gold, Adrian Henry, Lauren McAlee, Drew Murphy, Brynn Washbourne
Joseph Spieldenner (Billy): Broadway: Grantaire in the 2014 Revival of Les Misérables. National Tour: 25th Anniversary Les Misérables, South Pacific. Regional: North Shore Music Theater, North Carolina Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus and many more. TV: “Iron Fist” (Netflix), “Redrum” (InvDiscovery). Joe also teaches audition techniques at colleges across the country and has a private acting studio in NYC. All my love to J and J. Twitter/instagram: @joespiel
