Midway through its 2007 season, the New Candlelight Theatre is reaping the benefits of stellar shows, delicious food, management additions and new partnerships within the artistic community.

In March of 2006, the New Candlelight Theatre obtained non-profit status in Delaware and thus has become the only Equity non-profit dinner theater in the entire United States! As a new member of The Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and proud participant in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theater, Candlelight is quickly making a name for itself in the Greater Philadelphia area. Locally, the New Candlelight Theatre has partnered with The Grand Opera House to produce their Summer Children Theater series, an inventive grouping of shows geared for all ages, which is presented at little to no cost to all who attend. NCT is scheduled to perform "Schoolhouse Rock" on Tuesday, July 17th, "The Fabulous Fable Factory 2" on Tuesday, July 24th and "Charlotte's Web" on Tuesday, August 7 th.

The fantastic casts include Candlelight main stage favorites: Paul Goodman, Maureen Cotellese, Shauna Hitchens, Dan Sanchez, Erin-Michelle Waldie, Brendan Sheehan, Jordan Weagraff, Gerri Weagraff and Paul Weagraff, led by seasoned director Chris Alberts. Mr. Alberts, a professional lighting designer with 30 years experience and a director with over 15 years experience, directed the highly successful "Beauty and the Beast" at Candlelight.

Owners, Bob Miller and Jody Anderson Miller see this as an opportunity to continue a children's show program which in 2005 had been cut from NCT's season due to budgetary restraints. Partnering with an organization of The Grand's magnitude breathes new life into the sorely missed series and Candlelight is excited about future opportunities within The Grand!

Candlelight's summer camp for children ages 7-11 will commence on June 18 th and acts as an introduction to theater. At the end of the two week session, the young thespians will perform a show written just for them! Teens ages 11-18 who have a vested interest in performing and learning about the inner workings of a professional theater will begin July 30th. They will mount their own production, Into the Woods, Jr. after only two weeks of summer camp intensive study!

In other news, Melissa Joy Hart has joined Candlelight's staff as Managing Director. This newly initiated position brings exciting changes to the New Candlelight Theatre. Along with box office management, this position will be the key staff member responsible for coordinating fundraising efforts, marketing campaigns and public relations. Ms. Hart holds a B.F.A. in theater from the University of Hartford and is currently a graduate student at West Chester University. She comes to Candlelight after spending two years with The Grand Opera House as the Development Manager and Special Events Coordinator. Prior to that, Ms. Hart was with J&J Haimes, LLC as Assistant Marketing Director, as well as having over 20 years performing experience in professional theater.

Chicago , playing through July 15th, is enjoying a successful run with rave reviews from area news publications. In rehearsal: Nunsense , running July 27th through September 30th. Nunsense is a hilarious musical romp about five nuns from Hoboken, New Jersey faced with a dilemma that will leave audiences young and old in stitches! Rounding out the 2007 season, Hello Dolly, running October 12 th through December 23rd, brings the classic and elegance back to the Candlelight stage.

Candlelight employs and supports hundreds of theater professionals that cross its threshold each year. By giving actors, directors, choreographers and designers a place to hone their craft, New Candlelight Theatre is the catalyst many of these artists need for pursuing careers in National Tours, Broadway, regional theater, television and film.

For more information about the New Candlelight Theatre, its programs and its performances, please visit us on the web at www.newcandlelighttheatre.com or by calling the theatre at 302-475-2313.