(Credit: Act II Playhouse / Facebook)
Act II Playhouse has announced its latest production, “It’s Only a Play,” a comedy by the late Terrence McNally starring Tony Braithwaite.
Previews began on March 19, with production having opened on March 22 and running through April 14.
“It’s Only a Play” opens on opening night for the biggest new show on Broadway, The Golden Egg. At a party thrown by the play’s producer, celebrities pour in downstairs, while upstairs the show’s creative team awaits the first reviews. All the Broadway “types” are in attendance – the excitable playwright, his envious best friend, a cranky critic, the wunderkind director, and the pill-popping leading lady – all of whom are satirized in this no-holds-barred comedy that lifts up the theatre industry and the crazy cast of characters who make it all possible, said a Playhouse press release.
To lead the cast is Act II Playhouse Artistic Director, Tony Braithwaite, who returns to the Playhouse stage following a sold-out run earlier this season in “Christmas in the Catskills.” Joining Braithwaite are Nick Cardillo, E. Ashley Izzard, Megan McDermott, Nate-Miles McLean, Tom Teti, and Steven Wright.
Behind the scenes, Kevin Glaccum directs the production, returning to Act II Playhouse and reteaming with Braithwaite after “Say Goodnight, Gracie.”
“Terrence McNally was one of America’s great playwrights,” said Braithwaite. “His razor-sharp wit is bound to surprise audiences and have them laughing with abandon all night long. It is an honor for all of us to bring McNally’s work to the Playhouse stage, and an honor for me to bring one of his quirky characters to life. I am equally excited to work with this hilarious cast and welcome director Kevin Galccum back to the Playhouse.”
Patricia G. Sabato is the production stage manager; Laura Mancano, assistant stage manager; Parris Bradley, scenic designer; James Leitner, lighting designer; Katherine Fritz, costume designer, and Adam Danoff, sound designer. Amanda Hatch/Avista Theatrical Services provided Properties, and Eliot Curtis was the Scenic Painter.
“It’s Only a Play” was memorably revived on Broadway in 2014 and featured Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Megan Mullally, F. Murray Abraham, Rupert Grint, and Stockard Channing, said the release.
Ticket prices start at $32 and are available online at act2.org, by phone at 215-654-0200 or in-person at the Box Office at 56 E. Butler Ave. The Box Office is open on Monday through Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. Student tickets are $15 and group discounts are available.
Act II Playhouse was founded in 1998; in 2012, Tony Braithwaite became the 3rd Artistic Director in the theatre’s history.
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