For Immediate Release: November 1, 2006
Media Contact: Ted Taylor, Act II Playhouse, 215.576.7212

Act II Playhouse presents a holiday first, for them, with “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” by Michael Carleton, John Alvarez and Jim Fitzgerald. This zany comedy begins with previews on November 17 and runs until December 17.

Three men and a “reingoat” tell tales of Christmas from around the world for one and all! Part Big Bang, part Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, this goofy tale spoofs all of your favorite Christmas stories with high-energy fun. Along the way, it also has some fun with Chanukah and Kwanzaa. You’ll never look at the holidays the same! (The show is not recommended for children under the age 13.)

“It's an irreverent, no holds barred, look at some of our holiday traditions, sparing nobody and nothing,” says Producing Artistic Director Steve Blumenthal. He adds that this will be the first time Act II has ever presented a holiday-themed show at the time of the actual holiday.

The show stars Lenny Haas, Matt Pfeiffer and Nathan Holt and is directed by Pete Pryor. (No word yet on who plays the Reingoat.)

Previews begin November 17, with a dress rehearsal open to the community benefiting The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard of Ambler on November 16. Opening night is November 24, followed by a reception nearby at Agavé Grille in Ambler. Tickets are on sale at the box office, 56 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA, online at www.act2.org, or by calling 215-654-0200.

Tickets are priced at $25-to-$40 depending on the performances. Group discounts are available for parties as small as 10, and season-ticket discount packages for all remaining shows of the season remain available. For more information about group sales and season tickets, call the Act II Playhouse Box Office at 215-654-0200.

For additional media information – Ted Taylor, 215-576-7212.

PRESS CREDENTIALS FOR OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCES SHOULD ALWAYS BE REQUESTED DIRECTLY THROUGH THE BOX OFFICE - 215-654-0200.

The cast & director

Lenny Haas (Lenny) returns to Act II Playhouse. Last season, he played Henry in Syncopation and has since performed at 1812 Productions (Daughters of Genius) and People’s Light & Theatre (The Foreigner). He has been performing in Philadelphia since 1988 and has taught Drama at Friend’s Central High School. Lenny has appeared in an independent movie called “cellar” (co-starring Pete Pryor!) and won a Barrymore for Henry in The Fantastiks at PLT.

Matt Pfeiffer (Matt) - Recent credits include; Red Light Winter for Theatre Exile where he is the Associate Artistic Director, Lobby Hero (Walnut St.), Tadgh Stray Wandered In (Inis Nua),10 seasons with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and directing The Foocy (Lantern Theatre) for which he received a Barrymore Nomination for Best Direction.

Nathan Holt (Nathan) is making his debut at Act II Playhouse! This summer he showed his serious side in his play Like, You're My Friend And All..., which he co-wrote and co-produced for the Washington D.C. Fringe Festival. Nathan has performed stand-up comedy with THREE MAN SHOW and can be seen as a member of COMEDYSPORTZ improv, BAD HAIR sketch comedy, and spitting ill rhymes as one half of the rap duo Rowan & Hastings.

Peter Pryor (Director) Pete returns to Act II Playhouse as a director after directing Tony Braithwaite and Chris Faith in last season’s Good Evening. He comes to Act II fresh from starring in The Pillowman at the Wilma Theater and receiving the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Leading Actor (Richard III, Lantern Theater Company). Pete is the Co-Founder of 1812 Productions and a drama teacher at The Pathway School in Norristown. Recent works as an actor also include The Foreigner (People’s Light & Theatre Company), The Boys (Azuka Theatre), Rounding Third (Theatre Exile). He is the past recipient of an Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts. Next up, Pete will star as the BFG in Arden Theatre Company’s children’s show, The Big Friendly Giant.

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