Bristol Riverside Theatre Presents THE PHILLY FAN 9/15-10/4

Bristol Riverside Theatre kicks off its 2009-2010 season with a one-man tour-de-force that delves deep into the heart of something quintessentially Philadelphian - the struggle of the long-suffering Philadelphia sports fan. THE PHILLY FAN, written by Bruce Graham and performed by two-time Barrymore Award-winner Tom McCarthy, will make its Bucks County premiere September 15 - October 4 (opening night; Thursday, September 17).

Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol. Tickets for The Philly Fan are $29 - $37, $10 for students, and are available online at www.brtstage.org or by calling (215) 785-0100.

Native Philadelphian Tom McCarthy takes his audiences on a journey through the last 50 years of Philadelphia sports (and the frustrations therein). THE PHILLY FAN is an in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is romp through the eyes of a hard core sports fan that has audiences rolling in the aisles and tugs at the heartstrings of those who long for the parade down Broad Street. Recently updated to include the Phillies' 2008 World Series win, THE PHILLY FAN looks at just what happens when, after more than 20 years, fans finally get that championship parade.

THE PHILLY FAN has had several sold-out runs in Center City Philadelphia, Montgomery County and Atlantic City. BRT's presentation marks the first time it will be performed in Bucks County. "A lot of the audience for this show is a non-theater going audience, but it entices people to keep coming back to the theaters where the show is staged," said McCarthy. "We have also had some ‘repeat offenders.' People see it once and then want to bring others back to see it."

THE PHILLY FAN premiered at the 2004 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, under the direction of Theatre Exile's Producing Artistic Director Joe Canuso. Bruce Graham and Theatre Exile received a Barrymore Award nomination for "Best New Play" for the 05-06 season. John Hoey designed the original lighting and Jorge Cousineau designed the sound and video.

McCarthy is a multiple Barrymore Award nominee and two-time winner. He has appeared on stage all over the Greater Philadelphia area. He will follow his Bucks County run of THE PHILLY FAN with a role in an upcoming production of ON GOLDEN POND. McCarthy is filming a movie with Cloris Leachman and another film with Leah Thompson this fall. He will also continue his 33rd year as the Moderator and Host of the Delaware County Academic Quiz Shows.

About Bristol Riverside Theatre
Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 50 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director, Amy Kaissar, BRT enters its 23rd season. For information, visit www.brtstage.org.

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