Some local teens have a rare theatrical opportunity usually only reserved for professional actors. Students from 11 area middle and high schools are ready to blast off in the East Coast premiere of Dreamland by Chris Miller and Nathan Tyson.

This over-the-top, 1950s musical comedy is a riff on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream but is set in Area 51, the famed classified government site, right before it opens to the public. West Chester Studio at Uptown!, the performing arts education side of Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, will produce Dreamland from May 20-22. 

Dreamland has built a loyal online following, and the recorded version features Broadway favorite Christian Borle. 

“We were looking for something new that has lots of roles, and I read about Dreamland,” said Therese Walden-Murphy, Education Director at Uptown! “I thought this was something the kids would love. One of the exciting reasons for doing this show is because they can’t find these characters anywhere online. They get to originally design their characters. They can’t go and look at somebody else’s work and say that is how it should be portrayed. They get to create this world and these people.” 

The cast and creative team include students from Henderson High School, Rustin High School, Stetson Middle School, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School Center for Performing and Fine Arts, Villa Maria Middle and Upper School, Strath Haven High School, Downingtown West and East, Bishop Shanahan, Coatesville High School, Conestoga High School, and Downingtown STEM Academy.

Walden-Murphy directs the show. Scott Anthony is the Music Director. Gina Veith is the choreographer. There are 28 students in this show.

“I love the way this show was written. It has lots of characters and a large ensemble that does all the main numbers,” said Walden-Murphy. “This was written for younger performers, and we really value the training our young artists get. It helps them learn to connect with themselves. I also look forward to our audiences getting to see this exciting new musical.”

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