For Immediate Release: January 17, 2007
Media Contact: Marc S. Goldberg, Storybook Musical Theatre, 215.659.8550

Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based professional, Equity, children's theater company, will strike gold with its classic adaptation of the Grimm Brothers' tale "Rumpelstitlskin", the story of a princess who gets into trouble and must guess the name of a strange, little man, who has the unusual talent of being able to change straw into gold. The musical plays from February 27 to Mach 11 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA. Tickets are $10.00 for children and $12.00 for adults, with school and group discounts available. For reservations or more information call: 215-659-8550.

This popular fairy tale was adapted for Storybook by New York playwright, Don Kersey and composer Steve Liebman, with direction by Storybook's Artistic Director Patricia Goldberg and musical direction by Nancy Wiker.

"Rumpelstiltkin" is he story of a Miller who brags to the King about his daughter's talent for spinning straw into gold. The Miller's daughter gets herself into even more of a jam when, unable to perform the task, promises Rumpelstiltskin anything if he can perform the deed for her. When Rumpelstiltskin calls in that promise, the Miller's daughter must use all her wits to keep the one thing she truly loves. The audience is cleverly taken through this lively musical of insatiable greed and false promises by two on-stage narrators.

Storybook has gathered six talented, local, professional actors for their cast:

In the role of Rowena, the Miller's daughter is Aileen Goldberg, of Newark, De. She was recently seen as one of the stepsisters in Storybook's version of "Cinderella". Last season she appeared as the princess in "Aladdin." Other Storybook credits; "Prince and the Pauper," "Wizard of Ox" and "Alice in Wonderland". Regional credits; "The Pirate" at the Prince Music Theater, " "Beauty & the Beast" and "42nd Street" at New Candlelight Dinner Theater, "West Side Story," "Bye, Bye, Birdie," and "Damn Yankees" at Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater.

Jeff Reim, of Sewell, N.J., makes a likable but somewhat deceitful villain as the title character, Rumpelstiltskin. Reim has been seen in such Storybook favorites as "Little Red Riding Hood," "Pinocchio," "Aladdin", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Hansel & Gretel". In regional credits include shows at New Candlelight and Three Little Bakers Dinner Theaters and Bristol Riverside Theatre. In addition, Reim has composed the music for eight Storybook shows.

Rejoining Storybook after a short hiatus is David Mulholland, of Bristol, PA. in the role of the Miller. Mulholland was last seen on the Storybook stage as the evil magician in "Aladdin." Other Storybook credits include "Jack & the Beanstalk," "Pinocchio," "Elves & the Shoemaker," "Wizard of Oz," just to name a few. Other regional credits: "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "A Man of Firsts" at Act Out Theater, "Only A Girl" for Lightkeeper Productions and "The Snow Queen" at the Prince Music Theater.

Always a Storybook favorite, Dana Schmidt, of Jenkintown, PA. reprising his role of the greedy King. Dana was just seen in the Storybook production of "Cinderella" and "Aladdin". Other Storybook credits include: Geppetto in "Pinocchio," the Emperor in "Emperor's New Clothes," the shoemaker in "Elves and the Shoemaker." the fathers in "Beauty and the Beast" and "Rapunzel." He has many film credits and when not acting he is an auctioneer.

J.J. Orgera, of Center City Philadelphia, is making her Storybook debut as one of the "kid" narrators, who warn the characters to be careful about promises they make. Her regional credits include: "Urinetown" at Villanova University, "Grease" at Lenape Regional Theater, "Chasing Nicolette" at the Prince Music Theater and "The Arabian Nights" at the Arden Theater.

Rounding out the cast is an other newcomer, Caitlin Reilly, of Manayunk. Her regional credits include: "Grease" at New Candlelight Dinner Theater, " A Funny Thing Happened..." and "Weinberg, Ohio" at the Arden, "A Musical Christmas Carol" and " Annie" at the Pittsburgh CLO and "Pippin" and "Wild Party" at the University of the Arts.

Children's tickets are $10.00, Adults are $12.00 with generous school/group discounts available. Show times are weekdays at 10:15 am, Saturday at 11:00 am.

All Storybook productions are appropriate for ages 3 and older. As always everyone will have a chance to meet the cast for a handshake, autograph or photo after each performance. For information or reservations, call box office at 215-659-8550 or Storybook's website: www.storybookmusical.org.

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