WXPN Radio Welcomes the Cast of Footlighters Musical

BERWYN, PA. (November 1, 2017) – The oldest community theater on the Main Line recently visited WXPN Radio (88.5FM) to talk with Kids Corner host Kathy O’Connell about its upcoming production of The Perfect Dog. Part of National Dog Show month, which culminates with the annual Thanksgiving Day television special, The Perfect Dog is a children’s musical adapted from the book of the same name written by beloved Seinfeld actor and National Dog Show host, John O’Hurley.

Footlighters Theater was asked by NDS to put up the family-friendly show which will run for three performances the weekend of November 10, 11 and 12, followed by a special fundraising encore performance on Thursday, November 16th. Tickets to the weekend performances are just $12 for children under 13, $18 for adults, and are available at www.FootlightersTheater.com. Advance ticket purchase is always recommended to avoid disappointment .

The Thursday night production includes an intimate talk-back with John O’Hurley after the show; single tickets are $25 for each attendee of this special performance. O’Hurley is the Seinfeld ensemble actor (Elaine’s boss, J. Peterman) and the author of three books about dogs and their unique place in our lives. O’Hurley’s fourth book, The Perfect Dog, was written for his son. O’Hurley also hosts “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina,” which is taped at the Expo Center in Oaks for its annual national broadcast on NBC Thanksgiving Day.

The musical’s storyline entails Sam, a twelve year-old perfectionist, who enlists the help of her best friend, Charlie, in her search for a flawless dog to enter in the town’s dog contest. Unable to find a canine that measures up, Sam must resort to training the family dog, Max, who is eager but seems to Sam as less than perfect. In the end, Sam and Max learn that there is no such thing as perfect, but there is such a thing as being perfect for each other. Music is by David Abbinanti (Ghost, Saturday Night Fever, Ring of Fire) and the script is by Jill Abbinanti (Law & Order, CSI-SVU, Pan-Am).

The actors portraying Sam, Charlie and Max recently joined local radio star, Kathy O’Connell, at WXPN to talk about the show and their experiences at Footlighters Community Theater. Located in an historic stone church in Berwyn, Footlighters was established in 1929 and has run 89 continuous seasons, sharing with the community six shows each season plus a number of special events (such as The Perfect Dog).

Kathy O’Connell’s interview with “Sam, Charlie & Max” will be aired on Kids Corner Monday, November 6th at 7:00pm (88.5FM). The four-show run in November includes Friday, Nov. 10 (7 p.m.), Saturday, Nov. 11 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 12 (2 p.m.), with a special encore performance Thursday, Nov. 16 (7 p.m.). The encore performance will include a one-on-many post-show conversation with John O’Hurley, who will attend that performance. O’Hurley can also be seen this fall in his newest film, “Swing Away.”

Footlighters Theater is the Main Line’s oldest community theater providing premier theater arts productions for the region since 1929. Footlighters produces a six-show season of plays including at least two musicals in an intimate 110-seat historical converted church dating back to 1888. The Perfect Dog is one of two fundraising productions in the current season; Footlighters’ 4thannual Broadway Sings cabaret will return March 2-4, 2018. A 501c3 non-profit entity, the all-volunteer theater is committed to producing outstanding productions and involving and educating the community in theatrical arts.

National Dog Show Month in Philadelphia also included its fourth annual National Dog Show Charity Walk on Saturday, October 15 in Wayne, which featured a performance by members of The Perfect Dog cast. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia's National Dog Show is set for Saturday and Sunday, Nov.18-19, at the Expo Center in Oaks. Saturday's show will be taped for broadcast as a two-hour special from noon-2 p.m. on NBC 10 Thanksgiving Day following the Macy's Parade. The show, continuously hosted by John O’Hurley and NBC’s David Frei, annually draws a total audience of over 20 million viewers.

Further information about tickets can be obtained by contacting Sue Scott at sue.ryder.scott@gmail.com or 484.802.4505.