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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       
CONTACT:  Marc S. Goldberg: 215-659-8550

Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based, professional children’s theater company, and winner of Nickelodeon’s 2010 Parents Picks Award for Best Theater for Kids in the Philadelphia area, will continue it’s 19th season with the classic Hans Christian Andersen story of “The Emperor’s New clothes.”  The show will perform at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA.  from March 2 to March 13.

In this original musical adaptation by Storybook’s Artistic Director, Patricia Goldberg, and composer, Kevin Arruda, a vain Emperor thinks of nothing but his wardrobe until his vanity is bared to the world by two cunning thieves.

“Emperor’s New Clothes” features Voorhees the Vain, the emperor with a penchant for a fine cut of cloth who is happy to take his subjects taxes to support his ever-growing wardrobe.  Although there are a few opponents to his frivolous use of public funds, it takes Sid and Sam, two swindlers on the lamp, to craft a heist that deprives the emperor of his gold and even his dignity.  The two thieves “weave” the most beautiful fabric that just happens to have a special characteristic of only being visible to “intelligent” people.  The scheme finally shows everyone that it is the inner being, not the clothes, that make the emperor, or the man.

Storybook has gathered seven talented, local actors for their cast:
Playing the clothes-horse Emperor is Storybook veteran, Dana Schmidt, of Jenkintown. Schmidt was last see as the King in Storybook’s Rumpelstiltskin. Since then he has been behind the scenes as our Resident Stage Manager. Dana’s Storybook other performing credits include: The Frog Prince, Robin Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Beauty & the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood. In addition, Dana has appeared in films, commercials and television series.

David Mulholland fills the shoes of the Prime Minister, one of the emperor’s confidantes who hopes to be able to see swindlers invisible creation. Mulholland, of Bristol, PA. was seen last season in Storybook’s  Frog Prince and Pinocchio. Other Storybook credits: Sleeping Beauty,
Princess & the Pea, Puss ‘n Boots, and Alice in Wonderland. Regional credits: Proof at Act Out Theater, Big River at Mt. Gretna Playhouse, Our Town at Delaware Theater Co. and The Snow Queen at Prince Music Theater. He co-wrote in Only A Girl for Lightkeeper Productions.
There is always a voice of reason lost in the heat of the moment and in this story that character is the Finance Minister played the Faith Sherman, of Dublin, PA.  Sherman just appeared as three of the seven miners in Storybook’s Snow White. Other Storybook credits: Pinocchio, Wizard of Oz, Rapunzel, Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast, just to name a few. In addition, she is one of Storybook’s Artist/Teachers, a horse trainer, dance instructor and choreographer.

Struggling to understand the whole situation is Tom the villager, played by Jarad Benn. Benn is making his Storybook debut in Emperor’s. Stock credits: Room Service, Romeo and Juliet, Honk! The Musical, Anything Goes at Monomoy Theater, Seussical the Musical at the Ritz Theater, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and The Music Man at Muhlenberg Summer Theater and Three Sisters and Urinetown at Villanova Theater.  Jarad in a recent graduate MFA program at Ohio University.

In each story there is a critic, and in this case it’s Madeline, played by Maryann Bucci, of Yardley, PA. Bucci Storybook credits include: the Queen in Princess & the Pea, the Stepmother in Cinderella, the mothers in Hansel & Gretel and Rapunzel, and the Grandmother in Little Red Riding Hood.  In addition, she has appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Now there would be no transformation of the Emperor without the creative genius of the two swindlers, Sid and Sam.  Ted Wioncek, of Somerdale, N.J. plays Sid. Wioncek just appeared as the Prince/Huntsman /Mirror in Snow White. Ted made his Storybook debut last season in Beauty & the Beast. A NJACT Perry award-winning Producer and Founder of The Collaborative Act Studio, he has worked with The Walnut St. Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Montgomery Theater, Bckseet Productions, Flashpoint Theatre and the Ritz Theatre, where he is the Associate Artistic Director.

Sam, played by David Stahl, of Philadelphia, was last seen on Storybook’s stage in Princess & the Pea as Prince Louis.  Other regional credits: Mr. Snow in Carousel at Plays and Players Theatre, Noah in ‘Ships for Writing Man Productions, An Imperfect Sonnet at Cardboard Box Collaborative, Once on this Island and Sankofa at LMS Productions and The Original Romeo & Juliet for Theoretical Theatre Co.  David is a graduate of the Theater Program at Temple University.

Show times are 10:15 am weekdays, 11:00 am Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sundays.  Reservations are recommended.  Tickets, Children:  $10.00, Adults: $12.00 with school/group discounts available.

All Storybook productions are appropriate for ages 3 and older.  As always, everyone gets to meet the cast after each show for a handshake, autograph or photo.

For information or reservations, call the box office at 215-659-8550 or visit Storybook’s website: www.storybookmusical.org.