Meet the Creative Team behind OH, WHAT FUN!

tony_braithwaite_2.jpgTony Braithwaite is the Artistic Director here at Act II Playhouse, where he most recently played Bud in Gutenberg! The Musical! and where he will be in Lend Me a Tenor this spring. Favorite roles here include Marc in Art, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and George Burns in Say Goodnight Gracie. Tony is a 13-time Barrymore nominee a 4-time Barrymore M.C., and a 3-time Barrymore recipient, including wins for The Big Bang and The Story of My Life (both here at Act II).  For the past 18 years Tony has served as Director of Dramatics at his beloved alma mater St. Joe's Prep where he is currently producing their 3rd Annual Night of Scenes. www.tonybraithwaite.com


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Howie Brown has appeared on Act II's stage numerous times including First Impressions, Heeere's Tony!, and Laughing All the Way. Other Philly Credits: Jack Dempsey in Molumby’s Million (Iron Age Theatre), Brad in Everybody Loves Opal (Montgomery Theater), Bo Decker in Bus Stop (Montgomery Theater), Kaffee in A Few Good Men (Ritz Theatre), Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing (PA Shakespeare Festival), Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing…Forum (OCPops), and The Fantasticks (Kimmel Center). Film: Mayor’s Aide in Safe starring Jason Statham. By day, Howie is the Managing Director at Act II Playhouse and assists with the Cape and Sword Drama Program at his alma mater, St. Joseph’s Prep. Howie will appear in Lend Me a Tenor in the Spring.

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Will Dennis was most recently seen on Act II’s stage in Laughing All the Way and Art. Recent Credits: Montgomery Theatre: Everybody Loves Opal (Sol), Big Boys (Victor/Norm u/s).  Society Hill Playhouse: The Next Reunion (Mr. Patton/Robert). Kimmel Center: The Fantasticks (Mortimer). Will has also served as head writer for Heeere’s Tony!, First Impressions and Laughing All the Way.  Will is Assistant Director at his beloved alma mater, St. Joe’sPrep.  www.willdennis.net

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Sonny Leo: National performing credits include the National Tour of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (1983) and Chaplin at T.U.T.S. (1984). WST credits include 42nd Street, State Fair, Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Oliver. Act II audiences may have seen Sonny’s work as director/choreographer for My Fair Lady, or you may have recently seen him perform as Charles in Gutenberg! The Musical!. Mr. Leo is the resident music director and choreographer at St. Joseph’s Prep School with Tony Braithwaite.

 

Mary Carpenter (director) is thrilled to be working with Act II and the Oh What Fun family.  She has worked in Philadelphia as an actress, director, teacher and writer.  Mary has worked with a variety of Philadelphia Theatre Companies- including 1812 Productions, Montgomery Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Arden, and the Wilma.  Most recent credits include: her original one woman show The New & Improved Stages of Grief(2012 Capital Fringe Festival), Prisoner of Second Avenue(Montgomery Theatre Company), and City of Nutterly Love (Second City/Philadelphia Theatre Company).  Mary had the pleasure of directing Tony Braithwaite in his one man show Look Mom, I’m Swell, and is honored to be working and laughing with him again.  She has been a performing and teaching member of ComedySportz, for twenty years where she has also served as Artistic Director twice.  Her improvisation training includes work with Second City, Keith Johnstone, Mick Napier, Jeff Wirth and Todd Stashwick.  She holds Theatre degrees from Northwestern University and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.