Act II Playhouse Announces It's 2010-2011 Season

Act II Playhouse is pleased to announce its 2010-11 season. Act II continues its commitment to creating world-class theatre in an intimate venue with a four-show subscription season that includes John & Jen, an original musical about the complexities of family relationships; The Tempest, Shakespeare's most magical play reimagined for Act II's cozy space; The Pride of Parnell Street, the first American production of this powerful, touching drama by renowned Irish playwright Sebastian Barry; and Art, a razor-sharp look at art and friendship from the author of the Broadway hit God of Carnage.

In addition, Act II's 12th season includes three special event shows, including a world premiere musical comedy this summer, Burt & Me. During the 2011 winter break, Act II will present two additional shows: The Reluctant Optimist, Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello's musical look at life as a cockeyed optimist, and Heere's Tony, a new live talk show from the king of Philadelphia comedy, Tony Braithwaite.

"We have had two great seasons in a row with increasing subscribers and single-ticket sales each year, and we are excited that our next season will continue this trend," says Act II Producing Artistic Director Bud Martin.

The 2010-11 season is as follows:
JOHN & JEN

Music by Andrew Lippa / Lyrics by Tom Greenwald

Book by Andrew Lippa & Tom Greenwald

directed by Bud Martin

Sept. 21-Oct.17, 2010

Philadelphia premiere! Have you ever looked in the mirror and seen your mother or father? Have you listened to your child's laugh and realize it's exactly the same as a brother or sister? A truly original musical, John & Jen explores the complexities of relationships between Brothers and Sisters, and parents and children, set against the background of a changing America between 1950 and 1990. 

THE TEMPEST

by William Shakespeare

directed by Harriet Power

Nov. 16-Dec.12, 2010

See and enjoy Shakespeare as you never have before....where every word is clear and every seat close to the action! Enter a world of magic where a wronged sorcerer manipulates both spirits and humans in his quest for revenge. Deposed of his dukedom and sent into exile, Prospero uses his powers to draw his enemies to his enchanted island...only to discover that love and forgiveness work the most potent magic of all. Often seen as the playwright's valentine to the imagination, Shakespeare's The Tempest conjures a world of passionate lovers, bawdy buffoons, mystical beings, and a spectacular storm that transforms everyone in its path. We promise surprise and delight in Shakespeare's loveliest, most universal play.

THE PRIDE OF PARNELL STREET

by Sebastian Barry

directed by Harriet Power

March 22-April 17, 2011

Italy 1-Ireland 0...The score that marked Ireland's demoralizing exit from the 1990 World Cup took its toll on many Dubliners - especially Janet and Joe Brady of Parnell Street, who lost far more than the match that night. In two poignant, interweaving monologues, Janet and Joe reveal the intimacies of their love and the rupture of their marriage as well as their affection for Ireland's most famous city. The Pride of Parnell Street is an intimate, heroic tale of ordinary and extraordinary life on the streets of Dublin by one of Ireland's greatest living playwrights. Marvel at Sebastian Barry's lyricism in the first American production of the play Ireland's Sunday Independent calls "quiveringly beautiful... quite simply magnificent."
ART

by Yasmina Reza

translated by Christopher Hampton

directed by Bud Martin

May 10-June 5, 2011

How would you feel if your best friend did something so colossally unfathomable that it made you doubt the very basis of the friendship? When an art lover buys a nearly pure white painting for a very expensive sum, his best friend goes ballistic. A third friend allows himself to be pulled into their wrangling, and

battle lines are drawn. By turns funny and explosive, Yasmina Reza (author of the Broadway hit God

of Carnage) crafts a sly, revealing portrait of what men expect from their friends - and themselves.

Newsweek calls this Tony Award-winning international smash hit "a nonstop cross-fire of crackling

language, serious issues of life and art expressed in outbursts that sound like Don Rickles with a degree from the Sorbonne."

Our 3 Special Event Shows for the 2010/11 Season:
BURT & ME

Music by Burt Bacharach, Lyrics by Hal David

Book by Larry McKenna

Directed by Matt Silva

July 6-August 1, 2010

A new musical comedy added this summer! Joe Madson and Lacey Turner were brought together in high school by a common interest: the music of Burt Bacharach. In college, they went their separate ways. Years later, they meet up, and Joe wonders why they ever broke up. Will Joe win Lacey back? Celebrate the magic of love as you revel in such classics as "What the World Needs Now," "Walk On By," "This Guy's In Love with You," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," and many more.

Our 2011 Special Events:
THE RELUCTANT OPTIMIST

Conceived and performed by Mary Martello

Jan. 12-23, 2011

Four-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello explores the elation and disappointment that come with being a cockeyed optimist in the modern world, using music by some well-known (and possibly new to your ears) composers such as Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin and Noel Coward. Eric Ebbenga will accompany Mary on the piano. An unforgettable evening!

HEEERE'S TONY!

Conceived and performed by Tony Braithwaite

Feb. 2-20, 2011

Act II favorite Tony Braithwaite is back - and in his element, hosting Heeere's Tony! This live talk show will feature Tony's hilarious nightly monologue and special celebrity guests who will sit on the couch and yuck it up with Tony. Announcer Howie Brown and piano player Alex Bechtel re-team with Tony for a night of comedy sketches, music, and fun - plus a funny, moving tribute to Tony's idol, Johnny Carson.

Act II Playhouse, celebrating 11 years of professional theatre in the Philadelphia suburb of Ambler, PA, is committed to creating world-class theatre in a 130-seat venue whose intimacy draws audiences and actors into dynamic interaction. Act II produces new, classic, and contemporary plays and musicals under the direction of Bud Martin (Producing Artistic Director) and Harriet Power (Associate Artistic Director).

Season Subscriptions
Subscription renewals began April 5, while first-time subscribers can sign on beginning May 1. Subscribers enjoy significant savings on tickets, the best choice of seats, unlimited ticket exchanges, and discounts to area restaurants and on our Special Event shows. Subscriptions range in price from $76 for an Early Bird Preview subscription (discount prices available until May 30) to $163 for Act II's new six-ticket Flex Pass. To purchase subscriptions, or for more information, call the Act II Playhouse Box Office at 215-654-0200, visit the website at www.act2.org, or stop by the box office at 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler.

Act II Playhouse is wheelchair accessible and offers the use of assisted listening devices for hearing-impaired patrons.