Tony Braithwaite Becomes Producing Artistic Director of The Act II Playhouse in July

Act II Playhouse announced today that award-winning actor Tony Braithwaite will be the theatre's new Producing Artistic Director, succeeding outgoing Producing Artistic Director Bud Martin at the conclusion of the 2011/12 season.

Martin recommended Braithwaite, who will begin working at the theatre full-time on July 1, 2012, to be his successor. Act II's Board of Directors officially appointed Briathwaite incoming Producing Artistic Director at their meeting last night.

"While I have loved every minute at Act II over the last four seasons, I feel it is important for the theatre to have a full-time artistic director who can devote the time that I have not been able to," said Martin, a Broadway and West End producer. "If Act II is to go to the next level, it needs someone who is embedded in the community, which I am not, can be the 'face'of the theatre, and can build a higher level of awareness and support. Our audiences know Tony's face much better than mine. It is a natural and logical succession."

Braithwaite is a three-time Barrymore Award-winner, and a 13-time nominee. He has starred in many of Act II's most acclaimed and Popular Productions (including Art, The Story of My Life, Boeing-Boeing, Iron Kisses, Stones in His Pockets, Say Goodnight Gracie and The Big Bang) and is the creator/performer behind four special events that have entertained audiences at Act II: Laughing All the Way; Heeere's Tony!; First Impressions; and Look Mom, I'm Swell. Outside of Act II, Braithwaite has performed at the Kimmel Center, Arden Theatre Company, Montgomery Theater and 1812 Productions.

Braithwaite is currently - and will remain - the Director of Dramatics at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia, where has has recently directed such productions as The Producers, A Few Good Men, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone and Sweeney Todd.

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