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SWARTHMORE UMC
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Theology & The Arts

Faith & Broadway: Mary Poppins
August 2026

Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure.
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney'sMary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances & received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

The box office will open 1 hour prior to showtime and doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. This production is presented in Two Acts with a 15-minute intermission. The run time is approximately 2hr and 45min.
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Faith & Broadway: Godspell
March 26 - 31, 2026

SUMC continues its vibrant partnership with Viviana Theatre this spring for our 4th musical on the SUMC sanctuary stage. This show will be directed by Matthew J. English with music direction by Robert Diton.
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Godspell is a musical that presents the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through a modern, theatrical lens, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew. 
The show uses a variety of artistic styles, including songs, parables, games, and clowning, to tell a story of friendship, love, and community. Its musical score is a mix of genres, and it includes famous songs like "Day by Day". 

Book by John-Michael Tebelak
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz 

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Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol
an annual reading

Performed by Jared Reed as a benefit performance for
Swarthmore United Methodist Church
129 Park Ave, Swarthmore

Wednesday, December 17, 7:00pm

A candlelit reading of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol with original music by Drew Petersen. Originally produced by Curio Theatre Company in West Philadelphia, Jared has crafted the piece from the reading version enacted by Dickens himself.

Get tickets at: www.radiolivearts.com
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Congratulations on your nominations, Viviana Theatre!

We’re very excited and honored to announce our production of Disney’s Newsies (opening cast) was nominated for 12 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards!

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES NOW!
Click the link below to vote for our wonderful cast and staff! Every vote matters! Share on all social medias! Voting closes 12/31 at 11:59 pm!
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https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/awards/
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Faith & Broadway: Disney's NEWSIES: The Broadway Musical
August 1 - 10, 2025

Viviana Theatre & Swarthmore UMC are proud to present their 3rd Summer Musical together!

Come and enjoy the dancing and singing of Disney's NEWSIES: The Broadway Musical. 

Direction: Matthew English
Music Direction: Eileen Fields
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Broadway Cabaret!
April 4, 2025

Dinner Cabaret featuring some of your favorite Broadway tunes!
7pm in the Sanctuary
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This is a fundraiser for the Viviana-SUMC Summer Musical as well as for Special Music in worship


If you'd like to be added to Viviana's mailing list, email: [email protected]
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Portraits of Justice & Truth Series
September 20 - October 27, 2024

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Faith & Broadway: Kinky Boots
July 12-21, 2024 @ SUMC Sanctuary Stage

Viviana Theatre & Swarthmore UMC are proud to present the award-winning musical Kinky Boots this summer.

Director/Choreographer: Matthew English
Music Director: Eileen Fields


Based on the film of the same name, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, the reluctant inheritor of his father's struggling shoe factory and his fight to keep it afloat by reaching a startlingly new customer demographic: drag queens. Billy Porter won a Tony Award playing Lola in the original Broadway cast, one of six Tony wins for the production, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Cyndi Lauper, and Best Choreography for Jerry Mitchell.
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Silence the Violence Concert
May 11 @ 1pm in the sanctuary


Join local & professional singers in hearing (and singing along) to classic songs of peace and justice. Learn from local grass-roots organizations about how you can talk about and prevent gun violence.

This event is co-hosted by: Swarthmore UMC, Viviana Theatre, Anna Crusis Feminist Choir, CeaseFirePA, Heeding God's Call, and Chester Community Coalition.
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All donations will benefit Chester Community Coalition
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This event is made possible through a Congregational Innovation Worship & Arts grant from the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
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Special Music & Arts Sunday
Saint Patrick's Day ~ March 17th

Peter Jay Pezzino (fiddle/violin & harp)
Luther Case (guitar)

Check out Peter Jay Pezzino @ peterjay.net.
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All are welcome for this special worship experience with prayer, meditative Celtic music, and more...
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Faith & Broadway: Into the Woods
November 10-19, 2023 @ Barnstormers Theater (Ridley Park)

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Summer Concerts on the Lawn


Bring a picnic dinner and join with family and friends on the lawn for concert performances featuring local artists. These events are free and family-friendly. (In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move into the sanctuary.)

For more information, contact Sam Parsons

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Faith & Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar
July 7-16, 2023 @ Swarthmore UMC Sanctuary Stage

Viviana Theatre & Swarthmore United Methodist Church
proudly present Jesus Christ Superstar
​July 7-9 & 14-16, 2023  In the Sanctuary


What’s the buzz? The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.
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Sacred and Profane: A Young Artists’ Fundraiser Concert

Sunday evening, May 7th, at 6:30 p.m. ​
​Annie Carruthers, soprano, and Ben D’Annibale, pianist, will present music by Puccini, Verdi, Barber, Granados, and Strauss.  
 
Annie, a Philadelphia-based soprano who grew up in Swarthmore, will make her debut as Mimì in La bohème at the International Summer Opera Festival of Morelia.  She will perform the role in both Morelia, Mexico and Novi Sad, Serbia.  Ben, a Philadelphia-based pianist, organist, and harpsichordist, is the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
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Sharing God's Love-in-Action from the Heart of Swarthmore"
Worship & Arts
Outreach & Nurture
Spiritual Growth & "Doing Life" Together

129 Park Avenue | Swarthmore, PA 19081​
Sunday Services: 10:30 am

  • About Us
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    • Visiting? Great! Here's What to Expect
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