Lily Tomlin Comes to Glenside Tonight, 5/3

Lily Tomlin, one of America's foremost comediennes, takes the stage at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside tonight, May 3.

Tomlin was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of one of the city's most affluent areas. Although she claims she wasn't funny as a child, Tomlin admits she "knew who was and lifted all their material right off the TV screen". Her favorites included Lucille Ball, Bea Lillie, Imogene Coca and Jean Carroll, one of the first female stand-ups on The Ed Sullivan Show. After high school, Tomlin enrolled at Wayne State University to study medicine, but her elective courses in theater arts compelled her to leave college to become a performer. She moved to New York in 1965, where she soon built a strong following with her appearances at landmark clubs, such as The Improvisation, Cafe Au Go Go and the Upstairs at the Downstairs.

Tomlin made her television debut in 1966 on The Garry Moore Show and in 1969, Tomlin joined the cast of the top-rated Laugh-In. She rose to national prominence with her characterizations of Ernestine, the irascible telephone operator and Edith Ann, the devilish six year old. When Laugh-In left the air, Tomlin went on to co-write and star in six comedy television specials. She has appeared on numerous television shows, including Homicide, X-Files, Will and Grace, Murphy Brown, West Wing, Desperate Housewives and NCIS. She is also heard as the voice of the science teacher Ms. Frizzle on the The Magic School Bus.

Tomlin made her Broadway debut in the 1977 play, Appearing Nitely and also played in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.

Tomlin made her film debut in Robert Altman's Nashville and went on to appear in over 20 films, including  All of Me, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life In the Universe, Tea With Mussolini, I Heart Huckabees, A Prairie Home Companion and Pink Panther II.

Throughout her extraordinary entertainment career, Tomlin has received numerous awards, including six Emmys, two Tonys, a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics' Circle Award, a CableAce Award, a Grammy, two Peabody Awards, the Crystal Award from Women in Film and the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. 

Lily Tomlin brings her comedic brillance to the Keswick Theatre 291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside on Thursday, May 3^rd. Showtime is 8 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (215) 572-7650 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.