STAGE17 to Launch Fictional Video Blog MIDDLE (ST)AGE with Stacia Fernandez

STAGE17 will present the world premiere of the fictional video blog by a Middle (St)aged actress trying to remain visible and viable in an industry that refuses to accept the fact that she is aging, created by two Mamma Mia! cast members Jacob Pinion and Stacia Fernandez, who also stars. STAGE17, a new digital entertainment destination for episodic fiction and reality programming, launches the original series on today, April 14, 2014. The episode is available at http://stage17.tv/series/middle-stage!

In Middle (St)age, a quirky, upbeat, middle-aged actress strives to be seen and heard as a viable player in a world full of younger, seemingly more energetic players. Meet Marina (played by Fernandez) - a 40-something Broadway veteran who's making the reluctant transition from Baby June to Mama Rose as elegantlyas possible. She optimistically adopts different modes of self-help and self-promotion to reassure herself and to hopefully achieve her goals and most often finds herself back at the drawing board. Plucky, talented and funny as hell, Marina documents the trials and tribulations of an aging ingénue in her newfangled video blog... as long as she can figure out where the "Record" button is.

STAGE17 presents MIDDLE (ST)AGE written and created by STACIA FERNANDEZ, JACOB PINION, staring STACIA FERNANDEZ, directed by JACOB PINION, executive produced by ONDINE LANDA ABRAMSON produced by JACOB PINION, DIANA BASMAJIAN, camera and sound by STEVEN STAUFFER hair and make-up by ANGELA JOHNSON

STACIA FERNANDEZ (creator/performer) is a writer, singer, and actress, currently on Broadway in Mamma Mia! Other Broadway credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, SWING, Tom Sawyer and the Scarlet Pimpernel. She has also done 4 national tours, quite a bit of regional theatre, and some television including this Season's HOMELAND. Middle (st)Age is her current show that she is stars in, co-writes and created with her writing partner, Jacob Pinion. Member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA, AGVA, and The League of Professional Theatre Women. www.staciafernandez.com

JACOB PINION (creator/director) is an actor, writer, director and producer. In addition to performing in Broadway's Mamma Mia! he is currently producing several web-series for STAGE17. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School Drama, Jacob worked with Kevin Spacey at Bridge Project Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot Old Vic/Public Theater exchange. He's been producing original content since before it was cool writing middle school puppet musicals on the founding of Rhode Island, the discovery of the polio vaccine and an all puppet musical version of The Miracle Worker.

STAGE17 was formed by Chairman David Stoller (Executive Chairman of Reach4Entertainment) and President and Executive Producer Ondine Landa Abramson, as a new digital platform aiming "to lure a demographic of 25-to-54-year-old females by using Broadway as a jumping-off point," (Variety) by specializing in original and curated entertainment for the world's largest stage - the Internet. STAGE17 presents a digital experience for audiences where quality, originality, and ease of use are paramount. It is aimed at a growing community of tech-savvy individuals, with a strong interest in theatre and entertainment, for whom there is currently no dedicated digital platform. As a digital playground for Broadway and theatrical artists, STAGE17 will explore the art of storytelling, both scripted and unscripted, from masters in the craft.

Viewers can join STAGE17.tv for access to the Beta site.

Check out the trailer below!

Pictured: Stacia Fernandez as Marina Lippon in "Middle (St)age". Photo courtesy of Stage17.