Act II Extends THE TEMPEST Thru 12/19

Act II Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Bud Martin announced that its acclaimed seven-actor production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest has been extended by a week, to Dec. 19.

The extension means the local production will overlap with the new major motion picture adaptation of The Tempest, directed by Julie Taymor and starring Helen Mirren, which opens nationally on Dec. 17.

Five performances of The Tempest have been added to Act II's run: four evening performances on Dec. 15-18 and one Sunday matinee on Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday performances during the extension week will begin at 8 p.m.

"Act II is to be applauded for this latest leap of artistic faith," applauds Ellen Wilson Dilks in Stage Magazine. "Their first foray into the world of The Bard is a delight-and very accessible to any who may not be well-versed in Shakespeare. I encourage everyone to make the trip to Ambler to catch this production of The Tempest."

Associate Artistic Director Harriet Power directs the first-ever production of a Bard play in Act II's 12-year history.

"I'm delighted that more people now have more chances to experience this magical, romantic, funny and profound play," Power said of the extension.

Collectively, the cast and director bring extensive Shakespeare experience to this project - a total of more than 60 Shakespeare productions. The Tempest is the sixth Shakespeare play for Power has directed, who spent the summer adapting the text to use seven actors. Dan Kern portrays Prospero while Sarah Doherty as Ariel. Nicole Erb is featured as Miranda, while Tom Byrn, David Ingram, Rob Kahn, and Griffin Stanton-Ameisen each play two roles.

Tickets are $27 for Tuesday through Thursday and $33 for all Friday -Sunday performances. Tickets can be ordered online at www.act2.org, in person at Act II at 56 E. Butler Avenue, or by calling the Act II Box Office at (215) 654-0200.

The design team includes set designer Dirk Durossette; sound designer John Stovicek, who created original songs and music for Act II's production; costume designer Charlotte Chloe Fox Wind; and lighting designer James Leitner.

ABOUT ACT II PLAYHOUSE

Act II Playhouse, entering its 12th season of professional theatre in the Philadelphia suburb of Ambler, PA, is committed to creating world-class theatre in a 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). In July 2010, Howard Shapiro of The Philadelphia Inquirer declared that "Act II Playhouse is arguably the most up-and-coming of the region's small professional theaters outside Center City."

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