The Media Theatre, one of the Philadelphia region’s most popular theatres and Delaware County’s only professional theatre, has announced a stellar cast for its upcoming musical production “Wings", which plays in February.
Directed by Artistic Director Jesse Cline, “Wings” will star Tony nominee Ann Crumb as Emily, an aviatrix who performed stunts in her adventurous youth as she fearlessly walked on the wings of a biplane. As she once plummeted dizzyingly through space, she is now falling through inner space as the result of a stroke. “Wings” captures, with poignancy and simplicity, Emily’s story and hesitant recovery. A relapse thrusts her once again into the void, but in the musical’s triumphantly inspiring view she has merely taken flight once again.
Ann Crumb received a Barrymore nomination for her work in The Media Theatre’s “Souvenir” as Florence Foster Jenkins and received critical acclaim in “Master Class” as Maria Callas. She was nominated for the Tony Award when she appeared in “Anna Karenina” and is well known for creating the role of Rose in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Aspects of Love” both when it appeared in London’s West End and on Broadway. She has appeared on almost every regional theatre stage in the Philadelphia region and recently won a Best Actress Award for her work in “Sunset Boulevard” in Colorado. She is the recipient of a Barrymore Award and an Arts Recognition Award. Her television credits include “Law and Order” and “One Life to Live”.
“Wings”, which is based on the play by Arthur Kopit, has a book and lyrics by Arthur Perlman and music by Jeffrey Lunden. In Media, the production will have a stellar supporting cast. Demetria Bailey, recently seen on The Media Theatre stage as Mama Morton in “Chicago” and in “Gypsy” at Bristol Riverside Theatre, will portray two roles: The Nurse and Mrs. Timmons, who is one of the patients in rehabilitation with Emily.
Dan Schiff, who won audiences over with his portrayal of FDR in Media Theatre’s “Annie”, will play two roles in “Wings” as well: The Doctor and Mr. Brambilla, a patient. Schiff is also known to Delaware County audiences due to his role as Max in “The Sound of Music” also having portrayed the Wizard in “The Wizard of Oz”.
Rebecca Robbins, seen as Tessie in Walnut Street Theatre’s “White Christmas” and on Broadway in
“A Tale of Two Cities”, will play the role of Amy, who works with the patients in the inspiring musical. She has also worked with
The Fulton Opera House, Pittsburgh CLO, and The New York Philharmonic.
The role of Billy in “Wings” will be taken on by Robert Lewandowski who was seen on Media’s stage last season as Uncle Billy in “The Who’s Tommy”. Lewandowski, of Wilmington, DE, has appeared at The New Candlelight Theatre and several regional stages.
“Wings” is at The Media Theatre February 8-26. It has received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. The show premiered at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago in the early ‘90’s and had its premiere Off-Broadway in 1993. The Chicago Tribune said the show is “A stirring reminder that what really matters in the world, the things we love and feel, usually find a way to abide”.
For tickets and information call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org
