Media Theatre to Honor Jed Bernstein, 2/23

Broadway and Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Jed Bernstein will be recognized at The Media Theatre Gala on Saturday February 23 for his contribution to the American theatre. He will receive the 2013 Achievement in The Theatre Award during the evening's pre-show ceremony, which will culminate with a performance by Broadway star Justin Guarini.

After 11 years as President of the League of American Theatres and Producers, now the Broadway League, Jed launched Above The Title Entertainment, a theatre/television Production Company and marketing consultancy that combines his skills at marketing and promotion with his love for the theatre. While at the League, Jed provided leadership in developing such industry wide programs as: Kids' Night on Broadway, the Internet Broadway Data Base, and a corporate sponsorship program that generated $150mm+ of cash and measurable media support over eight years. Jed also played a central role in the industry's response to the events of 9/11.

Above the Title Entertainment projects have included the Off-Broadway critically acclaimed musical revue, Don't Quit Your Night Job; the 7-time Tony Award nominated Passing Strange, the smash revival of Equus, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths; David Mamet's highly praised Oleanna, starring Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman; the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair; Stephen Schwartz's newly re-imagined Working in Chicago; and the Broadway and West End hit Driving Miss Daisy starring Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones, and Boyd Gaines, now in Australia with Angela Lansbury. This past fall, Jed co-produced the Broadway premiere of GRACE starring Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon and Ed Asner, at the Cort Theatre.
Mr. Bernstein also serves as executive director of the Commercial Theater Institute, a 30+ year old training program for young producers. Additionally, he serves on the board of The Actors Fund, is a member of the O'Neill National Playwright's Conference's Artistic Council, and was appointed to the Theatre Authority by Mayor Bloomberg. In 2012, Jed launched Playhouse Productions, specifically to produce at the newly revitalized Bucks County Playhouse.

The Bucks County Playhouse is located 90 minutes from New York City. It opened in 1939 on the site of a grist mill dating from the late 18th century which was in danger of demolition. Legendary playwright Moss Hart and the local community rallied to save the structure, re-opening it as a theatrical venue. It quickly became one of the country's most famous regional theatres, with a veritable who's who of American theatrical royalty including Helen Hayes, Kitty Carlisle, Grace Kelly, Robert Redford and Walter Matthau performing on its renowned stage. It remained in operation until December 2010, but thanks to the Bridge Street Foundation (the non-profit family foundation of Kevin and Sherri Daugherty with Tanya Cooper as President) the beloved landmark was re-opened and celebrated on July 2, 2012, exactly 73 years and a day from its original opening in 1939.

This spring, The Media Theatre is collaborating with Bucks County Playhouse for a revival of the classic musical Mame starring legendary Tony nominee Andrea McArdle. Mame will be directed by Media Theatre's Artistic Director Jesse Cline, playing April 17-May 19 in Media prior to traveling to Bucks County.