Q&A with LAUGHING ALL THE WAY host Tony Braithwaite

Q. What was the inspiration for Laughing All the Way?

TB. One of the parts of Heeere’s Tony! that made it such a hit was when we had kids on and interacted with them.  Audiences love surprises and good Improvisation and, well, kids say the darndest things!  We also wanted to produce a Holiday offering that the whole family could enjoy.

Q. What should audiences expect from this show?

TB. Audiences should expect holiday fun, improv, laughs, songs, skits, and talented young kid guests who will put their talents on display.

Q. What are you most excited about for Laughing All the Way?

TB. I am most excited about capitalizing on the fun vibe that we were able to create for Heeere’s Tony and First Impressions. Audiences want to laugh more than anything else, and in life we often tend to laugh most at the unexpected. Improvisation and kids make for a lot of the unexpected!

Q. Growing up, what did the holidays mean at your house?

TB. Holidays meant all the kids putting on a show after dinner for the adults, a contest to see who could memorize‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and recite it from memory, and more gifts than we ever should have been allowed. One funny story we still tell is the year my Mom dubbed her worst Christmas when my brother bought her, as it said on the package, “Slippers For Tall Women.”  Mom was 5’2”.

IRMA VEP photos

It’s opening night at Act II!

Check out this slideshow of photos from The Mystery of Irma Vep, with music by Sound Designer James Sugg:

Own A Piece Of Act II History!

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Need a nice new love seat? How about the one from Sylvia?

Know someone who needs the perfect leather chair and footstool for their man cave? Nothing better than the one from our production of Art!

Have some small business needs? Copy that!

Act II Playhouse is selling some great used items for SUPER LOW prices. To find out more information about each item, click on our craigslist links below.

· Sylvia Love Seat craigslist link

· Art Leather Chair/Footstool craigslist link

· Act II Copier craigslist link

Make an offer via craigslist or contact our Managing Director, Howie Brown (howie@act2.org). All proceeds help to pay for future wonderful pieces of our sets.

“You Just Have to See”

We asked our new fantastic intern, Stephie Ulm, to read the script of The Mystery of Irma Vep (which opens NEXT WEEK), and write down her reactions. We loved her thoughts so much – we wanted to share them with you, loyal blog follower. Enjoy!

Reading The Mystery of Irma Vep is nothing compared to seeing the actual production, I’m sure. As I flipped each page of the script, I was confronted with more comedy, mystery and tension then I ever thought possible from less than 100 pages of writing.

Flipping through this mysterious and nail-biting play, I couldn’t help but think how amazing seeing the actual production will be. It’s one thing to skim through a script, giving voices and characterizations to each character in your head. It’s a completely different story to see two actors play multiple parts, running on and off the stage to change costumes, while still keeping the audience completely immersed in the story and on the edge of their seats.

One of the things I’m most excited to see after looking at the script of Irma Vep, is how the actors will bring different personalities to each of their numerous characters. I’m sure it could be a bit confusing having to switch in and out of a costume at a moment’s notice, let alone don a completely new personality.

Another aspect of the play I’m really looking forward to is seeing the comedy that I read on the pages of the script come to

This play is truly one-of-a-kind and will keep you guessing until the very end. I would highly recommend anyone who is a fan of theatre, comedy, mystery, and/or cross-dressing to come out and see The Mystery of Irma Vep. You won’t regret it.life. There’s so much fun to be had when you have two actors of the same gender playing multiple characters of varying genders. There are so many hilarious jokes and innuendos that you just have to see.

The Mystery of Irma Vep begins previews on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Click here to order tickets or call 215-654-0200.

Pooches of the Playhouse: Part 6

In honor of Sylvia, our blog has gone to the dogs! Today, Sound Designer David O’Connor shares information about his cute fluffy friend.

Jackson

Poodle/Bijon, about 10 years old.  We’ve had him for 4 years.

“Like Sylvia, he was very scrappy when we found him.  He was a rescue, found wandering the streets with a big burn mark on his back, probably from a tailpipe.  But he is the sweetest, gentlest dog.  Definitely not cut out for the streets.  Who lost you, Jackson?”