Recognizable Faces Star in 'Perfect Show'

Moorestown Theater Company (MTC) continues its summer streak with the premiere of Bye Bye Birdie Thursday night. 

The Broadway classic—which producing artistic director Mark Morgan has called "probably the perfect show"—features an all-star cast, including Channel 6ABC anchor Rick Williams, a frequent MTC performer, and a bevy of local politicians.

State Assemblyman Troy Singleton, Burlington County freeholders Joe Donnelly and Aimee Belgard, council members Chris Chiacchio, Phil Garwood and Greg Newcomer, as well as Burlington County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kristi Howell, will all appear in cameo roles during the musical's seven-day run. 

"It's a different way to try and sell some tickets," said Morgan of his more-recognizable-than-usual cast. "I always try to think outside the box."

Republican and Democratic cast members alike praised MTC for its continued contributions to the local arts, and Singleton urged residents to support the theater company, but asked that his critics "leave the tomatoes at home."

Bye Bye Birdie is MTC's Main Stage show, featuring an all-ages cast. It opens at 7 p.m. Thursday at William Allen Middle School. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. However, advance ticketing is always recommended. 

Though Morgan remarked that Bye Bye Birdie is "(one of) the most done shows in the world"—not to mention a movie—a live theater performance is always a fresh experience, he said. "Something different can happen anytime you walk into (the theater) ... It's always different because of the people performing it."

Bye Bye Birdie runs through this weekend and next. Visit the MTC website for showtimes.

MoorArts will also wrap up its production of Evita this weekend, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Moorestown High School. Visit their website to buy tickets.

The theater company follows Birdie with Peter Pan Jr. at the end of the month, followed by Fame Jr. and The Aristocats Kids in August. 

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