Hedgerow Theatre Announces Their February Comedies, Kicks off 2/2

Hedgerow Theatre has a trio of comedies lined up in February. It all starts with comedian Tony Braithwaite's salute to late-night talk shows inHeeere's Tony! from February 2 to 19. Next up is a Willy Russell Festival featuring two plays by the award-winning British playwright, Educating Rita from February 8 to March 11 and Shirley Valentine from February 25 to March 10.

Heeere's Tony! is an actual live talk, hosted by three-time Barrymore Award-winner Tony Braithwaite, with his announcer/sidekick Howie Brown and pianist Alex Bechtel. He'll have different guests at each performance, including singers, dancers, authors, local dignitaries and even animals from the Philadelphia Zoo. After a preview on February 2 at 7:30 p.m, shows are at 7:30 p.m. on February 3, 4, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 18; at 2 p.m. on February 5, 12 and 19; and at 4 p.m. on February 11.

In Educating Rita, Willy Russell reinvents the Pygmalion story in his comedy about Frank, a university professor who tutors Rita, a brash, earthy hairdresser hoping to improve her life. Returning to Hedgerow in the two-person Equity cast are Michael Hagan (Sojourner) and Meredith Beck (An American Tragedy). There are previews on Wednesday, February 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The opening night show on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. includes a special chocolate-beer tasting provided by Quotations Restaurant of Media. Performances are also scheduled at 2 p.m. on February 15 and 26, and March 25; and at 7:30 p.m. on February 19, 23, 24 and 25, and March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10.

The second Russell comedy, Shirley Valentine, marks the return of the critically acclaimed one-woman production starring Hedgerow veteran Susan Wefel. She plays a plucky, wisecracking British housewife who sets out to change her humdrum life. There are only four shows in the limited engagement, at 4 p.m. on February 25, March 3 and 10, and at 2 p.m. on March 7.

Adult ticket prices for Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows are $29, Thursday shows are $25, and Wednesday matinees are $22. There is a $3 discount for seniors; tickets for students with valid ID and children under 18 are $10. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors. Prices include all fees and borough taxes. Also available is a special Flex-Six package of six mix-and-match tickets to any show for $135 for adults or $115 for seniors. For reservations, call 610-565-4211, or visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre, America's First Repertory Theatre, is located at 64 Rose Valley Road, in Rose Valley (near Media).