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Health & Fitness

Fox29's Sue Serio in 'Love Letters' at Media Theatre Feb. 29-March 4

She will also receive the Arts Advocate Award at the theatre's annual Gala

 

Sue Serio, who charms thousands of people daily with her morning duties on FOX29's Good Day Philadelphia as the weather anchor, will have her professional theatre debut in production of A. R. Gurney’s play Love Letters from Feb. 29 to March 4.

The play focuses on just two characters who read the notes, letters, and cards which express their dreams and disappointments that have passed between them throughout their lives—although they have been physically apart for nearly 50 years. Her husband, Bill Vargus, joins her in this show that was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for drama and is famous for having real life couples portray the two roles.

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At the theatre’s annual Gala on Feb. 25, Serio will receive the 2012 Arts Advocate Award due to her support of the theatre’s mission of professional music theatre and education for youth over the years.

"Sue has been volunteering her time to emcee our in July and August," said the theatre’s Artistic Director Jesse Cline. "She is certainly worthy of recognition for that alone. Her support of our programming, however, began years ago. She has been an advocate of what it is we do for over a decade."

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Serio is pleased with the recognition, "The Media Theatre is a treasure. I have said that for years, on television and off camera."

She remembers the first time she saw a production at the theatre.

"When our family moved to the Media area in 1998, I was happy to hear we had a local theatre. Then, to find out it was a professional theatre was even more of an incentive to get involved. After seeing a show there for the first time, I was really impressed by the quality of the performance and the beauty of the theatre itself," Serio said.

Delco Idol is important to her as her daughter is an example of youth who have an interest in the performing arts.

"We signed our daughter up for acting classes. From there, she went on to appear in the musicals Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical, and The Wizard of Oz. They were wonderful experiences for her. For those of us who raise our families here, I feel that the classes and youth programs at Media Theatre teach our children to be more confident, no matter what profession they choose to pursue," she said.

"For someone like me, who works in Center City but lives in the suburbs, The Media Theatre is important," she said. "There’s no shortage of quality theatre in Philadelphia, but to have an amazing cultural asset in our own backyard was something that was easy to take for granted. The Media Theatre productions expose all of us to Broadway quality entertainment without a two-hour trip, and to programs and pursuits that add to the quality of our own lives."

Serio sums up her sentiments with a quote from someone she admires.

"Carrie Fisher said, 'I don’t want life to imitate art; I want life to be art.' That, to me, is the value of The Media Theatre. It has changed my life," she said.

Tickets are available for on Feb. 25 which features a one-night only concert performance by Broadway’s Andrea McArdle.

Show only tickets are $75. For an additional $50, patrons have the opportunity to mingle with Sue Serio and Andrea McArdle at the evening’s catered receptions. Jeffry Cadorette will preside over a live auction at the event, and local actor P. Brendan Mulvey will also receive recognition (The Walter M. Strine Award).

Love Letters tickets are available for performances from Feb. 29 through March 4. Call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org for information.

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