For Immediate Release: October 24, 2005
Media Contact: Ted Taylor, Act II Playhouse, 215.576.7212

The American Premier of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van will be the second play of the Act II Playhouse 2005-06 season and is a co-production with Philadelphia’s Mum Puppettheatre. The show opens with preview performances November 11-17 (opening night is November 18) and runs through December 11. The 2005-06 season is sponsored by Sunrise Assisted Living of Dresher, PA.

The story is unusual, but true. In 1974 Homeless Mary Sheppard drives her van into playwright Alan Bennett’s driveway and remains there for the next 15 year. This very funny and touching play comes from the personal experiences of Mr. Bennett.

This production features two actors, Gregg Almquist as Alan Bennett and Maureen Torsney-Weir as Miss Sheppard. In addition puppeteers Jered McLenigan and Genevieve Perrier provide life to ten other characters in the form of puppets. The show is directed by Robert Smythe, the Artistic Director of Mum Puppettheatre which he founded in 1987.

All weekday performances (except opening night) will begin at 8 PM; the Sunday performances are at 2 PM. There will be Wednesday matinees on November 23 and December 7 at 2 PM. There will be Tuesday performances on November 15 and 29 (normally the theatre is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays). For tickets call the playhouse at 215-654-0200 or you may purchase them at the box office at 56 East Butler Avenue in Ambler, PA. Prices range from $20-to-$32 depending on the performance.

For more information 215-654-0200 or go to www.act2.org.

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