Our Mission
Act II Playhouse is committed to theatrical programming that is both accessible and entertaining. Act II is committed to creating and producing original, classic, and contemporary plays, musicals, and cabarets (both comedic and musical) that reflect the highest artistic standards, and presenting them in our intimate venue that draws audiences and performers into a unique, vibrant and dynamic interaction.
Our History
Act II Playhouse was founded in 1998 by Stephen Blumenthal in the center of the friendly, small community that is the Borough of Ambler. Act II is often credited with helping to bolster the resurgence of industry on Butler Pike, which has become a bustling boulevard of social, cultural and business ventures in Ambler. Blumenthal oversaw the company for 10 years along with co-Artistic Director Alan Blumenthal. They were succeeded by Frank “Bud” Martin in 2008. In 2012, Tony Braithwaite became the 3rd Artistic Director in Act II’s history.
Act II has received 42 Barrymore nominations and 6 Barrymore Awards; the 2006 Award for Best Actress in a Play (Susan Riley Stevens in Bad Dates), the 2005 Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Tony Braithwaite in The Big Bang), the 2004 Award for Best Lighting (James Leitner, Mary’s Wedding), the 2003 Award for Best Actor in a Play (Kraig Swartz in Fully Committed), the 2010 Award for Best Ensemble in a Musical (Tony Braithwaite & Jim Stanek in The Story of My Life) and the 2010 Award for Best New Play (Any Given Monday).
Celebrated productions in the company’s history include Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, which ran for 12 weeks in 2009; a 10-person My Fair Lady, which ran for 10 weeks in 2012; and the world premiere of Didn’t Your Father Have this Talk With You? which had 4 different runs, totaling 9 weeks.
