(Credit: Act II Playhouse)
Ticket sales for “An Act of God,” playing at the Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, have been going so well, the producers added additional productions! Since this play, running Aug. 6 through Sept. 8 also stars the playhouse’s own artistic director, Tony Braithwaite, it is no wonder the staff is excited about this kick-off to the 2024-25 Season.
The playhouse, which opened in 1998, selected “An Act of God” for its first show on the year because of its entertainment value, said Nick Cardillo, Act II Playhouse’s director of marketing.
“It’s been a show we’ve wanted to do at the playhouse for a couple of years now,” said Cardillo of the production which is written by David Javerbaum. Javerbaum was a writer for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” which won him 11 Emmys, two nominations, two Peabody awards, and a Television Critics Award for both Best Comedy and Best News Show.
“It’s a show about God, who has taken over the human body of the Act II Playhouse Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite,” said Cardillo. “He comes back to share his thoughts on what the human race has been up to. He wants to update, to improve his Ten Commandments.”
The comedic show meant to make its audience laugh. Given the themes, parents should use discretion, however Nytix.com said the show is suitable for ages 4 and up.
The Ambler play is a revival of the Broadway show that originally starred the “Big Bang Theory” star, Jim Parsons as God. The Broadway edition began in May of 2015. It was later revived with Sean Hayes in both Broadway and west coast productions in Los Angeles.
“Now, Tony will be putting his own spin on it a little bit,” said Cardillo. Braithwaite has been with the Act II Playhouse since 2003, but has been the house’s artistic director since 2012.
“This is his 50th show,” Cardillo said of Braithwaite’s career with Act II Playhouse. The theater celebrated its 25th year and is now kicking off its 25th season.
Cardillo said that the process of selecting the plays each year is a team effort.
“There is a committee,” he said. “We have a proposal process; we go through every fall.”
The playhouse’s focus is always to keep people coming back.
“We pick shows that will be entertaining for people,” said Cardillo. The playhouse team loves a good comedy.
“We always include comedic shows, and we do at least one original comedy cabaret each year, which we write and create in-house,” said Cardillo.
He said the annual cabaret typically involves comedy and music and is centered around a holiday theme. No matter the production, the playhouse and its staff love making its audiences happy.
“We want people to be entertained at the playhouse,” said the marketing director. “It is part of our brand; let them forget about their troubles for an hour or two.”
He said even if the play is about a murder mystery, it is “fun to get invested in the story and have a good time with it.”
The playhouse works with a wide variety of stars, all typically stemming from the Greater Philadelphia area. While some faces might look familiar from production to production, there is always a mix of actors and actresses.
“We have some familiar faces in each play,” said Cardillo. “We see them in the audience faces, as well.”
“An Act of God” runs approximately 70 minutes without an intermission. The performances contain some strong language and themes, so parental discretion is advised.
A portion of the proceeds for the showing on Wednesday, Aug. 21 will go toward the non-profit efforts of Family Promise Montco PA, formerly the Interfaith Response to Homelessness and Hunger.
“For more than 40 years, they have partnered with religious congregations, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors to help Montgomery County families experiencing poverty and homelessness,” reads the Act II Playhouse website. “The services they offer – emergency food relief; emergency, transitional, and supportive housing; and aftercare – help families to preserve their dignity and work toward or maintain self-sufficiency.”
Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings each week, Aug. 6 to Sept. 8, with matinee performances on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m., as well as 8 p.m. shows on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Some showings are already sold out.d
Purchase tickets for “An Act of God” online here.
Subscription packages are still available for the 2024-25 playhouse season, with six-, five-, and four-show packages.
“Subscription packages give ticket buyers the best deals to all shows,” said Cardillo. “You get discounts on tickets, perks with our dining partners. It’s not too late to subscribe.”
The Act II Playhouse partners with area restaurants, which offer subscribers 10% off dining checks. Gift cards can also be purchased in amounts ranging from $25 to $250.
At the end of the day, Cardillo said he hopes that the playhouse is a keystone of the Ambler community.
“You have world-class entertainment, right there on Butler Avenue,” said Cardillo, who noted the “unique space” offers an immersive environment.
“We have less than 130 seats,” he said. “So, there is no bad seat in the house. Our audiences really feel immersed in the production. They are a part of what they are watching. In some cases, you’re really only three feet away.”
For more information on the Act II Playhouse, visit https://act2.org/ or call 215-654-0200.
