MTC To Stage 3 Socially-Distant Summer Musicals

Anthony Bellano
·3 min read

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The Moorestown Theater Company (MTC) is moving back to Main Street for three socially distant summer stage musicals, MTC announced this week.

MTC will hold its award-winning Summer Stage Musical Theater Camp in-person at 5 West Main Street (in the former Signature Design Gift Shop) with open houses at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, MTC will host three two-week, socially-distant in-person sessions for 10- to 18-year-olds. There will also be six, one-week online sessions for 6- to 12-year-olds.

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MTC will follow these guidelines set forth by Gov. Phil Murphy:

  • Our new Performing Arts Studio has been professionally sanitized before Summer Stage 2020 started.

  • The Performing Arts Studio will be cleaned and sanitized before each new camp day.

  • Staff Members’ and Campers’ temperatures will be taken as they enter MTC’s Performing Arts Studio.

  • Staff Members and Campers will wear face masks or face shields at Camp each day.

  • Staff Members and Campers will be encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer often.

  • Bathroom will be sanitized by Staff Members between every use by Staff Members and Campers.

  • Staff Members and Campers will rehearse six feet apart from each other.

Now in its 18th season, MTC will host its 15th “Summer Stage,” which will include two premieres.
MTC will prevent the Delaware Valley premiere of “The Big One-Oh!” from July 6-10 and July 13-17. “The Big One-Oh!” is the story of a boy about to celebrate his 10th birthday, has a book by iTheatrics CEO Timothy Allen McDonald, music by Tony Award Winner Doug Besterman, and lyrics by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award nominee Dean Pitchford (Footloose). MTC’s Producing Artistic Director Mark Morgan will direct the full-length version of this fun, new musical (not the Jr. or Online version) that has such great songs as “Monsters And Maniacs,” “Better Than A Boo!,” “That Could Be Me,” and “This Is Big,” that will be sung by a 10-to-18-year-old cast.

From Aug. 3-7 and 10-14, it’s the MTC premiere of “Dear Edwina, Jr.” This is a heartwarming musical about the joys of growing up. “Dear Edwina, Jr.” follows the adventures of plucky advice-giver-extraordinaire, Edwina Spoonapple, as she directs the neighborhood kids in a series of buoyant production numbers for the latest edition of her weekly "Advice-a-Palooza.” Edwina and her friends share wisdom on everything from trying new foods to making new friends, through clever, catchy and poignant songs. Written in a “show-within-a-show” format, with a host of supporting roles, this show provides a perfect opportunity to showcase young actors.

In between MTC presents “Legally Blonde, Jr.” from July 20-24 and 27-31. Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the hit motion picture, this musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. It features such well-known songs as “Omigod You Guys!,” “Serious,” “What You Want,” “Blood In The Water,” “Ireland,” “Chip On Your Shoulder,” “Whipped Into Shape,” “So Much Better,” “Bend And Snap,” and the title song.

There will be one show performed for each session. There will also be a “Rising Stage” production by MTC’s young adults, ages 17-29, details to be announced.

There are openings in all three sessions, but there are limited openings for campers. Visit MoorestownTheaterCompany.org to register or to find more information about Summer Stage 2020.

Each of the three musicals will be recorded and streamed at a date to be announced. Tickets can be purchased online at MoorestownTheaterCompany.org. Call MTC at 856-778-8357 with any questions.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know


This article originally appeared on the Moorestown Patch