Media Release
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.
City of Bridgeton
(856) 451-3407
“THE YEAR THE PHILLIES
BLEW THE PENNANT” OPENS 6/12 ASHLEY ARTS -BRIDGETON
Vineland
Playwright Lou Mascolo kicks-off 2014 season of performances in downtown
Bridgeton
As an avid Phillies fan,
the opening performances at Bridgeton’s Ashley Arts Center evoke distant and bittersweet
memories for Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, but the knowledge that the
performing arts are alive and well in Bridgeton more than make up for those
memories.
Starting on Thursday, June
12th, “The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant” written by Vineland
playwright Lou Mascolo, will open at the Ashely McCormick Center at 40 East
Commerce Street in downtown Bridgeton with performances running Friday,
Saturday and Sunday June 13th through June 15th.
“I appreciate Bob
Dragotta’ s vision for the Ashley and his commitment to nurturing and expanding
the arts here in the Bridgeton community. We are in the midst of our own small
renaissance and this season of performances gives our downtown a big lift” said
Kelly
The play, bound to elicit
laughter and perhaps a few tears, traces some highs, like Jim Bunning’s perfect
game on Father’s Day; and the lows like the never-ending losing streak that ultimately
became the 1964 season…the year the Phillies blew the pennant.
This weekend of performances
along with the rest of the season, is the brainchild of Bridgeton resident
Robert Dragotta, president of National Media & Marketing, Inc. Through his
Broadway and off-Broadway work, along with some backing by Kelly and City
Council, Dragotta is planning performances throughout the summer and into
December.
“I am grateful to the City
of Bridgeton for their support; the community has a terrific performance and
entertainment venue in the Ashley Arts Center in downtown, and having a variety
of performances there is something that will be a win for everyone involved” said
Dragotta
In addition to the City’s
support, which entails $15,000 in UEZ funding; Dragotta will be tapping a lot
of talent to fill out the full theater season which includes July readings for
the new play “Simon Says”, scheduled to open at the Lynne Redgrave Theater in
NYC this autumn.
September features world
famous Irish comedienne Maeve Higgins;; while actress and singer Jane Seaman
takes the stage in October. “Tony & Tina’s Wedding”, which recently
re-opened in NYC for its 25th anniversary, runs in November, and the 2014 season
closes out with “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” written by Maripat Donovan.
Ticket prices vary from
regular seating, purchased at the door ($25), to students and seniors ($15), to
purchasing a subscription series for the full season of performances ($120).
Anyone interested in the subscription series or finding out more about the
season of performances is encouraged to visit
www.entertainmentevents.com
or by calling (877) 386-6968.
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To learn
more about the City of Bridgeton please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com