Broadway with a cause comes to Doylestown

Michael Moeller always knew he wanted to perform, but directing and producing his own musical was an entirely different story.

“I started out in my younger days performing a lot,” said the openly gay New York University alum. “One of the little theater companies I belonged to, they weren’t doing musicals back in the day, and nobody wanted to touch them.”

His passion for musical theater, combined with the anti-musical attitude of the time, pushed him to pursue directing musical theater.

Over the years, as his career as a successful director flourished, friends began to encourage him to begin his own production company.

“Anyone can just start a theater company,” said Moeller. “But if I’m going to do something, I’m going to make sure it’s worthwhile and has meaning to it.”

Moeller’s purpose for his theater company arrived via a call from a friend affiliated with the Peace Valley Holistic Center, an organization devoted to educating parents of children with special needs, using a combination of traditional and holistic therapies. She asked if his company did productions for a cause, to which he responded, “Yes, congratulations, you’re the first!”

Moeller’s upcoming production of “Lullaby of Broadway” is the first in his Theater for a Cause series. Hosted by the Doylestown Senior Center, “Lullaby of Broadway” is a musical revue of iconic Broadway productions, such as “West Side Story,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Misérables” and “A Chorus Line.”

A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Peace Valley Holistic Center.

For Moeller, organizing the show was not very difficult — save for his constant battle with Mother Nature.

“Power is currently out at the center and I can’t finish painting the sets,” he said during a phone interview from his partner’s house. “It’s day two without power at my house and with all the downed trees, the 45-minute drive from mine to [partner] Eddie’s house took nearly two hours!”

But the show will go on, Moeller said, and he’s eager for Doylestown residents and visitors to be able to experience the magic of Broadway without having to travel all the way to New York City.

“Lullaby of Broadway” will be presented Feb. 14-23 at Doylestown Senior Center, 700 N. Shady Retreat Road in Doylestown. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., with dessert served 30 minutes prior to the show. Tickets are $40 each or $35 for groups of nine or more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.michaelmoellerproductions.com or call 267-992-3358.

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