Act II Playhouse Presents Tony Braithwaite's Holiday Comedy Show

Just in time for the holidays, Act II Playhouse presents Laughing All the Way, a comedic variety show, hosted by Act II favorite Tony Braithwaite. This original family entertainment plays from Dec. 13-31, 2011, and will feature local kids on stage with Tony.

Bill Cosby's Kids Say the Darndest Things meets Whose Line is it Anyway? in this hilarious show for the whole family. Every show will feature different students on stage, some sharing their talents, others sharing their letters describing their perfect gift for the holidays. The letters read on stage will be chosen through a writing contest (see below for details). Performances of Laughing All the Way will also feature holiday-themed improvisations based on audience suggestions, as well as holiday music.

"Audiences should expect holiday fun, improv, laughs, songs, skits, and talented young kid guests who will put their gifts on display," Braithwaite said.

Guests and performers for each show will be announced on www.act2.org beginning in early December.

For Laughing All the Way, Braithwaite will be reunited with the team behind last season's hit talk show Heeere's Tony!: announcer (and Act II's Managing Director) Howie Brown and head writer Will Dennis. Also joining the guys on stage is musical director Sonny Leo.

"Audiences want to laugh more than anything else, and in life we often tend to laugh most at the unexpected," Braithwaite said. "Improvisation and kids make for a lot of the unexpected!"

This is the fourth original special event that Tony Braithwaite has brought to Act II. In December 2008, he wrote and performed Look Mom, I'm Swell!; in January 2010, he wrote and performed in First Impressions; and last February, he hosted Heeere's Tony!.

Tickets for Laughing All the Way are $27 for all Tuesday-Thursday performances and $33 for Friday and Saturday shows. Subscribers receive discounted tickets of $20 for any performance, and discounts are also available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Because of the holidays, there is a special performance schedule for Laughing All the Way, including performances at 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Press opening is Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

Later in Act II's 2011/12 season, Braithwaite will perform Let's Pretend We're Married (in January, with Jennifer Childs), and star as Henry Higgins in a 10-actor version of My Fair Lady. Six-show "flex" subscriptions - good for two tickers to all three of Tony Braithwaite's shows in Act II's season - are now available for sale for $163 ($157 for seniors).

Tickets and subscriptions are available by calling the Act II Box Office at (215) 654-0200, in person at 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, or online at www.act2.org. Box office hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

HOLIDAY LETTER CONTEST
Act II's Holiday Letter Contest is open to all kids from K to 8th grade. Students should describe their perfect gift(s) for the holiday season. The most meaningful, thoughtful, funny, or creative letters will win.

Winners will get to be "the star of the show" by coming on stage for a fun interview with Tony. They will also receive two free tickets to the show (for the writer and a guest), have their letter read on stage, and have their names announced on Act II's web site and marketing for the show.

A different winning letter will be chosen for each performance of Laughing All the Way. All entries must be received by Monday, Dec. 5 by 5 p.m. and can be submitted via email to contest@act2.org, or snail mail (Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave. Ambler, PA 19002 ATTN: LAUGHING).

All letters must include the student's first and last name; the student's school; the name of the student's parent/guardian; and a phone number to contact the parent/guardian.

Word limit is 300 words. Winners will be announced on Act II's web site beginning Dec. 1, and no later than Dec. 12. There are 18 performances of Laughing All the Way, so there are 18 chances to win.

ABOUT TONY BRAITHWAITE
Tony Braithwaite has appeared many times at Act II Playhouse since 2003, most recently as Marc in last spring's Art. Tony recently finished reprising his Barrymore Award-winning portrayal of Boyd in The Big Bang (a show that started here at Act II) at The Kimmel Center. Tony also works regularly with Montgomery Theater, 1812 Productions and Arden Theatre Company, among others. Next up: Let's Pretend We're Married (in January, with Jen Childs), right here at Act II where Tony will also portray Prof. Henry Higgins in the 10-actor My Fair Lady in April. Tony is a 13-time Barrymore nominee, a 4-time Barrymore M.C., and a 3-time Barrymore winner. For 17 years, Tony has also been the Director of Dramatics at his beloved alma mater St. Joe's Prep where he is currently producing their second annual Night of Scenes opening in January. His web site is www.tonybraithwaite.com.

ABOUT ACT II PLAYHOUSE
Act II Playhouse, now in its 13th 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."

Laughing All the Way
Fact Sheet

Theater:
Act II Playhouse
56 E. Butler Ave.
Ambler, PA 19002

Prices:
Adults: $27-$33
Special discounts are available for subscribers, students, seniors 65+ and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets:
Phone: (215) 654-0200
Online: www.act2.org

Performances:
Tues 12/13 at 7 p.m. Wed 12/14 at 2 p.m. Wed 12/14 at 7 p.m.
Thurs 12/15 at 7 p.m. Fri 12/16 at 7 p.m. Sat 12/17 at 11 a.m.
Tues 12/20 at 7 p.m. Wed 12/21 at 2 p.m. Wed 12/21 at 7 p.m.
Thurs 12/22 at 7 p.m. Fri 12/23 at 7 p.m. Sat 12/24 at 11 a.m.
Tues 12/27 at 7 p.m. Wed 12/28 at 2 p.m. Wed 12/28 at 7 p.m.
Thurs 12/29 at 7 p.m. Fri 12/30 at 7 p.m. Sat 12/31 at 11 a.m.

Comedy Team
Tony Braithwaite, Host
Howie Brown, Sidekick
Will Dennis, Head Writer
Sonny Leo, Music Director

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