Producing Artistic Director, Bob Miller and Artistic Director, Jody Anderson Miller along with The New Candlelight Productions staff and Board of Directors are pleased to announce two Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre for their production of Chicago and proudly present the 2008 Season to Remember!

On August 1, 2007 along with 120 members of the Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, New Candlelight Theatre attended the 2007 Barrymore Awards Press Conference at the Arden Theater in Philadelphia. Out of the 120 presenting organizations, 22 area theaters were nominated including Delaware’s New Candlelight Theatre. Leading Delaware’s nominations, The New Candlelight Theatre was honored for its 2007 production of Chicago in the areas of Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Patrick O’Hara as Amos Hart) and Best Choreography/Movement (Jody Anderson Miller).

Completing its first year as a member of the Alliance, NCT is extremely proud of this honor and looks forward to continued success in its 2008 season:

Beginning in January and running through February is Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor. This hilarious romp through mistaken identities and chaotic action is a new foray for a theater that deals mainly in musicals. “We are pleased and excited to introduce this classic comedy play to our audiences. Our patrons and loyal subscribers are educated, sophisticated and ready to experience our world-class entertainment in a different light. If all goes well…adding a straight play to every season and converting a five-show season to a six-show season will be our next adventure!” says owner and producer Bob Miller. Director for this production is resident production Manager, Chris Alberts.

Up next from the end of February and running through mid-May is Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. Set in Manhattan’s upper west side, the story explores different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and is based loosely on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Director Chris Alberts has assembled a stellar production team and aims for success with this American classic. “West Side Story is a show that pleases everyone. People know it. They love it. With the increased professionalism at our theater I am certain we can do justice to a show that changed the landscape for the American musical,” Alberts said.

Gypsy will take the stage at the end of May and run through July. Jule Styne’s driving score about a show business mother who pushes her children to the limit in the name of art is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid 20th century theater world. Production team includes director, Frank Anzalone and Barrymore-nominated choreographer, Jody Anderson Miller.

A soaring musical based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera, the fourth installment in A Season to Remember is Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s Phantom! Quite arguably the best retelling of the novel with a glorious score and poignant character studies, The New Candlelight Theatre is thrilled to be presenting Phantom in conjunction with The Rock School West, the preeminent ballet training center located on Pennsylvania’s Main Line. Audiences will be amazed and awed by The Phantom, Christine and a spectacular theatrical experience August 2008.

The holidays bring a huge cast, unforgettable performances and seventy-six trombones to the NCT stage mid-October through Christmas. The Music Man marches into the holidays and the hearts of patrons young and old! This family musical rounds out the 2008 season. Production team has not been announced.

The New Candlelight Theatre is located in historic Ardentown, DE five minutes from downtown Wilmington and 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia. It is the only Equity non-profit dinner theater in the entire nation and has just finished its first year as a newly- formed non profit entity in the state of Delaware and has recently received its first grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts.

For more information about the 2008 season, season subscriptions, advertising opportunities or employment opportunities at our theater please call 302-475-2313 or visit The New Candlelight Theatre on the web at: www.newcandlelighttheatre.com.