Tony Braithwaite June 17 & 18, 2016
Arden Theatre Company
Hamilton Family Arts Center: Studio Theatre 62 N 2nd St, Old City, Philadelphia
About The Arden Cabaret Series The Arden Cabaret Series features live music and performance in the 100seat Studio Theatre at the Arden’s Hamilton Family Arts Center. Developed to provide an opportunity for artists to perform, develop and present work that is important to them, the Arden Cabaret Series offers a unique and intimate conversation between Arden artists and audiences.
About the Artists TONY BRAITHWAITE has been performing stand-up comedy since 1985 when he become - at age 13 - the youngest comedian ever to appear at NYC’s The Improv. Tony has been working as a comic, actor, director, writer, emcee, and teacher in and around Philly since 1994. He is currently in his 4th year as Artistic Director of Act II Playhouse in Ambler, having most recently appeared there in Driving Miss Daisy alongside Carla Belver and Brian Anthony Wilson. Tony started performing at the Arden in 1996, as Bernard in Death of a Salesman. That was followed by Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, James Apple in Red Herring, Schmendiman in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Jack Benny in Baby Case, the Bartender in Cafe Puttanesca, and Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Tony premiered his first solo show - “Look Mom, I’m Swell!” - here at the Arden in 2007, and performed it here again in 2008. Tony has also performed with Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Kimmel Center, 1812 Productions, Delaware Theatre Company, Hedgerow Theatre, Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, Montgomery Theater, and both the PA and Philadelphia Shakespeare Festivals, among others. Tony is a 13-time Barrymore Award nominee, a 4-time Barrymore M.C., and a 3-time Barrymore winner. For the past 22 years, Tony has also served as Director of Dramatics at his beloved alma mater St. Joe’s Prep (where he taught for 12 years as well ) where he was recently presented with the school’s highest honor, The Ignatian Award. Fun fact: Tony does a killer impression of Terry Nolen. OWEN ROBBINS (Piano) is a Philadelphia musician, musical director, arranger, vocalist and accompanist. For thirteen years, he held the position of Music Director in the Musical Theater Program at the University of the Arts, where he musically directed over 26 shows. He has musically directed shows for 1812 Productions, Act II Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre and here at the Arden. Owen happily co-arranged and accompanied her onewoman shows with the late, great Jilline Ringle. Most recently he has been working with Tony Braithwaite and Jen Childs on their duo shows Let’s Pretend We’re Married, Let’s Pretend We’re Famous and On the Road Again.
Since 1980, Owen has been accompanist and assistant director for various large choruses, allowing travel to far-flung places like Australia, Europe and Oklahoma. In a previous life, he was musical director for Kings Productions, producing shows for theme parks around North America. Owen is proud to sing with the Voices of the Pops, a 12-voice ensemble that performs with the Philly Pops. He also sings in the professional choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Once again, Owen is tickled to be able to work with Tony, who always keeps him in stitches. What fun! MATTHEW DECKER (Cabaret Series Director) is the Associate Artistic Director at Arden Theatre Company and Co-Founder and Resident Director of Theatre Horizon. Arden: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, The Jungle Book, Great Expectations, Incorruptible, Pinocchio, Robin Hood. Theatre Horizon: Lobby Hero, Into the Woods, Circle Mirror Transformation, Spring Awakening, Kimberly Akimbo, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Fat Pig. Matthew is a two time Barrymore Award winner and a graduate of NYU where he studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company.
Production Team Cabaret Producer...................................................................................Jonathan Silver Stage Manager.............................................................................................. Kevin White Production Manager........................................................................... Courtney Riggar Technical Director................................................................................. Glenn Perlman Master Electrician............................................................................... Martin Stutzman Master Carpenter..................................................................................... Justin Romeo Audio Engineer.......................................................................................... Nicole Metas General Manager........................................................................................John Grassey Associate General Manager............................................................. Mary Beth Simon House Management.................................................... Brittany Brewer, Ethan Polson
Up Next...
June 27th, 2016 @ 7pm on the F. Otto Haas Stage
Continue the Conversation! Today, you are participating in a unique and intimate conversation between an artist and his audience. Our Cabaret Series gives artists the opportunity to perform, develop and present work that is important to them, and invites you into that work. This collaboration is only possible through the support of our generous donors. Only 60% of our costs – for things like supporting the work of Philadelphia artists like Tony Braithwaite, commissioning the next great new play, designing our costumes and props, even keeping the lights on – are covered by ticket sales. For the rest, we rely on you. Please help us keep the conversation going, and make future cabarets possible, by making a tax-deductible gift to the Arden’s annual fund. Remember, gifts are eligible to count as a deduction on your 2016 taxes. Donate online at www.ardentheatre.org/support.