Comedian Tony Braithwaite Returns to Hedgerow, 2/2-19

Three-time Barrymore Award-winner Tony Braithwaite makes his annual visit to Hedgerow Theatre, this time saluting late-night talk shows in the critically acclaimed Heeere's Tony! The special engagement, which kicks off Hedgerow's winter repertory of comedies, runs from February 2 to 19.

 

Braithwaite, whom critics have called "hands down, Philadelphia's finest comic actor" and "an all-purpose scene-stealing talent," describes Heere's Tony! as "a live talk show featuring special guests, a nightly monologue, skits and songs." He acts as the host, and guests, he said, "could include singers, dancers, jugglers, authors or even animals from the Philadelphia Zoo." Braithwaite is joined on stage for every performance by his announcer/sidekick Howie Brown and pianist Alex Bechtel.

 

The primary inspiration for the show, Braithwaite explained "is the late, great Johnny Carson. The show will be taking its cue from Johnny, in that spontaneity is the name of the game, so no two shows will be exactly alike." When it played to sold-out houses last year at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, reviews said it was "witty" and "spur-of-the moment funny."

 

This is the third one-man show Braithwaite has done at Hedgerow. He garnered rave reviews for Look Mom, I'm Swell in 2010 and First Impressions: Tony's Historical and Hysterical Take on the Presidents in 2011. He's also appeared there in Biloxi Blues, The Importance of Being Ernest, Noises Offand Rumors.  He remarked that he enjoys doing comedy in the small, intimate theatre because, "nothing is lost, and the audience can catch every nuance."

 

Heeere's Tony! has a preview performance on February 2 at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent shows are scheduled 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.

 

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).