For Immediate Release: November 3, 2005
Media Contact: Ted Taylor, Act II Playhouse, 215.576.7212

Act II Playhouse is launching a coat drive to help the homeless and other needy individuals and is tying it in with the American Premier of Playwright Alan Bennett’s story about a homeless woman who ends up living in his driveway for 15 years. The play, The Lady in the Van is being done as a co-production with Philadelphia’s Mum Puppettheatre. The play runs through December 11 and theatre-goers (and others) may drop off the coats in the lobby.

Stephen Blumenthal, Producing Artistic Director of Act II, said that they’d be collecting new or “gently-used” coats that will be turned over to the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler, PA. The Cupboard has been serving Montgomery County for more than 25 years and helps individuals and families in their time of need.

Mattie N. Dixon, founder and executive director of the Cupboard, is assisted by a volunteer staff of 30 people and is located at 150 N. Main Street in Ambler. For more information call 215-628-3002.

The play itself is unusual, but true. In 1974 Homeless Mary Sheppard drove her van into playwright Alan Bennett’s driveway and remained there, living in the van, until 1989. This very funny and touching play comes from the personal experiences of Mr. Bennett.

For tickets call the playhouse at 215-654-0200 or you may purchase them at the box office at 56 East Butler Avenue in Ambler, PA. Prices range from $20-to-$32 depending on the performance. The 2005-06 season is sponsored by Sunrise Assisted Living of Dresher, PA.

For more information 215-654-0200 or go to www.act2.org.

For Media Information: Ted Taylor, 215-576-7212 or e-mail, ted@tedtaylor.com

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