4 minute read
On the stage at Act II Playhouse
hits Act II Playhouse stage March 1-April 3
The one-man show is inspired by Barbra Streisand’s real-life mall built in the basement of her Malibu home
BY SAMANTHA BAMBINO
Like most theaters across the country, Act II Playhouse is excitedly celebrating its first season back after COVID19 shuttered entertainment venues for a year and a half. But unlike most theaters, Act II is offering a season that’s 100 percent upbeat.
Following the holiday variety show Really Good Tidings and the comedy A Couple of Swells, the laughs continue as Act II, located at 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, presents Jonathan Tolins’ Buyer & Cellar, on stage March 1 through April 3. “People have been miserable for two years. We’re not doing Death of a Salesman. We’re going to do things that bring joy, bring smiles under those masks,” said Act II Playhouse artistic director Tony Braithwaite. “I think that’s what people are craving at this point.”
The one-man Buyer & Cellar centers on the story of Alex, a struggling actor who lands quite the unprecedented job. He becomes the only employee hired to staff the “shoppes” at the home of Barbra Streisand, who builds a fake mall in her basement to display her vast array of costumes, shoes, dolls and antiques.
“It’s this hilarious story, part true, part fiction,” said Braithwaite. “The true part is that Barbra Streisand really did build a fake mall in the basement of her house in Malibu to display her private collection. You can even find pictures online. When Jonathan Tolins, the author, found out about that, he took that truth and imposed a fiction onto it and created this character Alex, who is this out-of-work actor hired to staff the shops and be there in case ‘Babs’ comes down for a visit on any given day.” Starring as Alex is Zachary Chiero, a former Philadelphian who is thrilled to return to the area and tackle a brand new challenge - performing alone. “It’s very intimidating,” he admitted. “It’s just the one person and he embodies a couple of different characters throughout. It’s like a 40-page monologue, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
As Chiero narrates Alex’s experience, he’ll personify a slew of personalities, including Streisand herself. However, he stressed that there will be no “blonde wigs or gowns or anything like that.”
When it was decided that Buyer & Cellar would be included in Act II Playhouse’s 2021-22 season, Braithwaite instantly had Chiero in mind to play Alex. The pair previously appeared together in Mel Brooks’ The Producers at the Bucks County Center for the Performing Arts.
“As I was reading the script, I was hearing him in my brain. He’s just charming, selfdeprecating, very winning and funny - all of the things that Alex needs to be,” said Braithwaite. “He narrates his experiences as he lives it. It’s like being in Starbucks and catching up with your hilarious best friend who you haven’t seen in a while and he’s like, ‘Wait until you hear about this.’ It has that intimacy to it when Alex narrates to the audience.”
Upon learning more about Alex and his inspiring character arc, Chiero didn’t hesitate to come on board.
“He is somebody who’s in a low place and really struggling. Through this very weird turn of events, he finds his passion again. I think that’s something that a lot of people can connect to, especially right now,” said Chiero. “Everybody is exhausted and struggling in one way or another. Hopefully, getting to witness somebody find their fire again and be in a tumultuous and strange situation but come out of that with a new sense of purpose, a new sense of drive, I’d like to think that’s something audiences can watch and celebrate.”
COVID-19 safety protocols are in place. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting act2.org or calling 215-654-0200.
truth and imposed a fiction onto it and created this character Alex, who is this out-of-work actor hired to staff the shops and be there in case ‘Babs’ comes down for a visit on any given day.” Zachary Chiero, a former Philadelphian who is thrilled to return to the
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ACT II PLAYHOUSE Left: Zachary Chiero stars as struggling actor Alex in Buyer & Cellar. Right: Tony Braithwaite, artistic director at Act II Playhouse
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