AMERICA'S GOT DOWNTON Coming to Playhouse Square, 4/18

Direct from London's famous West End, Cleveland will be graced with a visit from "America's Got Downton," a night of comic spoof on the hit PBS-TV series and hailed by The London Daily Telegraph as "a remarkable tour de force one-man show. If this doesn't prove a wow in Edinburgh and beyond, then I'm Dame Maggie Smith!"

Coming to Playhouse Square's Ohio Theatre for 3 pm and 8 pm performances, Saturday, April 18, this "Brit hit" (titled "The Only Way Is Downtown" in the UK), finds Luke Kempner creating more than 30 characters in a witty parody that blends celebrity visitors with well-known characters from Downton Abbey. Cultures clash and eras hilariously collide to help the cast save the estate from financial ruin...again! (The show also includes Luke's uncanny impressions of comedian Ricky Gervais and chef Gordon Ramsay.)

Tightly written as an affectionate take-off of the saga with modern TV hits included...its star, Luke Kempner, is called "The Energizer Bunny of impressionists" by The Huffington Post. As a" man of a thousand voices", Luke is a gifted and funny impressionist, writer, talented singer and well-established actor.

His passion for impressions and comedy writing became known when his YouTube video "Downstairs at Downton" became a worldwide hit. His one man show, The Only Way Is Downton, has toured theaters across the UK and has played at Latitude Festival and two years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to sold out audiences.

He has just filmed his first TV show for the BBC. Luke began his career in musical theater, appearing in the UK tour of LES MISERABLES as Marius, Avenue Q and the UK tour of South Pacific as the Professor.

Tickets for either the 3 pm or 8 pm performances of America's Got Downton April 18 at Playhouse Square's Ohio Theatre are $45, $35, $25 & $10 Smart Seats, on sale at the Ticket Office, playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000.

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