Act Now For Act II!

Check out the video I made with Tony Braithwaite for Act II Playhouse.  For those who don't know, one of the many hats I wear is as the Development Director at Act II.  This video is part of a new giving campaign called Act Now For Act II.  Check it out -- and while you are at it make a donation :)

Photos from The Blackout Show

Heeere's some photos that give some context to the day the power went out at Act 2 Playhouse on Sunday, Feb. 6th and Heeere's Tony! had to move down the block to the Colony Club.

(Heeere's Tony's Grand Entrance at the Colony Club!)

(AXB goes with the flow and does the opening monologue.)

Some specific jokes from the show on Sun, Feb. 6th:

• "Well folks, just like Charlie Sheen, Act 2 woke up this Sunday morning to a blackout."
• "OK, we'd now like to start the PTA Meeting."
• "I feel like I should be calling for the vote on Independence from Mother England."
• "I think they filmed The Crucible in the very room."
• "Ben Gay - why didn't Mrs. Franklin have any kids...ladies and gentlemen that joke was first told in this very room 200 years ago."
• "See this is why it's called "Heeeeere's Tony," cause it applies to anywhere we go!"
• "Bud Martin and Harriet Power's facebook status: what a lovely day! did we pay the electric bill?"

More From the Phila. Zoo!

Here's some great video that musical guest Matt Duke shot from on stage and after the show:

My Own "The Show Must Go On" Story

(Dave Jadico having fun with all the last minute changes)

"Hey gents, no electricity at the playhouse. Peco has been called."

This was part of the text I got from the Heeere's Tony! stage manager, Margie Price at 12:22pm on Sunday, Feb. 6th. Our matinee performance was for 2pm. Margie is one of the best in the business so honestly, I wasn't too worried when I got her text. However, finding out the power is off at the theater about and hour and a half before showtime is not something you look forward to hearing about.

Once I arrived at the theater around 12:55pm, I spend about 20 minutes in darkened dressing room upstairs doing my best Anne Frank imitation with the rest of the cast and crew. Next, calm as could be, Margie said, "Ok boys, we're taking the show around the corner to our rehearsal space."

The rehearsal space was at the Colony Club -- a place that looked like a sight specific production of 1776. Luckily, the Colony Club was still decorated for the Christmas holiday (please note the sarcasm).

Almost every patron decided to wait an extra half-hour and trekked over to the Colony Club for the show. I have to admit, it was kinda funny since some audience members were carrying chairs and other things over to space -- we looked like a really bad production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Once the show got underway, Tony did what he does best and worked on the fly. The show is always funny but the last minute changes provided immediate fodder for the quickest wit in the business. On top of things, the wonderful Dave Jadico was our guest who showed of his juggling skills and the golden voice of Jeff Coon filled the acoustic friendly Colony Club like a dream. The show was a blast and hopefully I'll be able to put up some pics that Margie took on her phone when I get them.

My favorite line from Tony's monologue: "This morning, much like Charlie Sheen, Act 2 Playhouse woke up to a blackout."

Sweeney Todd @ St. Joe's Prep

Last night was Opening Night of Sweeney Todd at my beloved alma mater St. Joe's Prep. Quick SJP joke I heard this week and loved:

Q: "How many Prep Guys does it take to screw in a lighbulb?"

A #1: "FIVE -- 1 to screw it in and 4 to scream 'Yeah Prep!'"

A#2: "FIVE -- 1 to screw it in and 4 to talk about how awesome it was for the next 30 years."

Funny cause it's true :)

Anywho -- Sweeney Todd is another stunning success on the Prep stage. Technically, this is the most intense show the Prep has taken on since my days as a student. Set changes complete with a spinning parlor/house/barbershop, 2 movable staircases, and a shaving chair with a slide to help Sweeney's dirty work are all highlights (The first time the chair was used last night got applause mid-song!). I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the stage crew during the rehearsal pricess this time around and I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys. The set looks amazing -- as always -- and in true Prep form the set changes are executed like several characters in the show -- very professionally. (Rimshot!)

As for actors -- I don't know where to begin for fear of leaving someone out, but some amazing moments from last night:

• Every single thing Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton '11 (Sweeney) and Gianna Yanelli (Lovett) MMA '10 did. The quintessential production of Sweeney with Angela Landsbury was an inspiration for SJP's version. There are moments that these 2 highschool actors capture as well as 2 Broadway legends.

(Gianna Yanelli MMA '10 and Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton '11)

• Joe Binck '11 (Tobias) singing "Nothing's Gonna Harm You" in Act 2. Solid performance all around by Binck, he nailed this number and it's amazing to see how far his as come as an actor, person, and singer.
• The chemistry between Brendan Lash '10 (Anthony) and Anne Wechsler MMA '10 (Johanna). Both take complicated -- and at times boring songs -- and make clear and engaging choices.

(Brendan Lash '10 as Anthony and Anne Wechsler MMA '10 as Johanna)

• Freddy Ventura '11 (Judge Turpin) has the creepiness of Alan Rickman in Die Hard (mostly because he looks like him) and serves as such a worthy adversary to KTN's menacing Sweeney. Freddy off the stage is one of the most polite and humble people I've ever met -- it makes this performance even more impressive.
• Hasani Allen '12 (Beadle Bamford) -- as a Mad Hatter look-alike -- is strong as the Judge's #2. Great work with the accent if I do say so myself :)
• Kelly Leonard MSJA '11 (Beggar Woman) was SO impressive. She completely disappeared on stage and really knocked my socks off.
• Pat Dooley '10 showed why he is one of the funniest actors in SJP history as Adolfo Pirelli.
• Everyone else -- before I get carpal tunnel -- was wonderful. I thought the ensemble was particularly good in "God That's Good!" at the beginning of Act 2.

(Joe Binck '11 as Tobias)

I can't wait to see all of these performances grow over the run of the show. I encourage anyone in the Philly area to come see this production. I guarantee -- for only $10 -- you will see a Broadway caliber show. Honestly, if you come see the show and are not satisfied, I will will personally give you your money back. I'm that sure that I won't have to spend a dime. And don't just take my word -- Tom Byrn a local actor who was in Spinning Into Butter with me in April and will be appearing in On Golden Pond at Act 2 Playhouse in Ambler this month took me up on an invitation to see SJP's Urinetown and was throughly impressed. I saw him after a show 2 weeks ago and he brought up Urinteown and how great it was.

Get ticket for Sweeney Todd here.