For Immediate Release: August 26, 2006
Media Contact: Hope deFrenes, Montgomery Theater, 215.723.9984

September 13 – October 7, 2006. Wednesdays, 9/13 & 10/4 at 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays, 9/24 & 10/1 at 3:00 pm. Tickets - $15.00 to $23.00. Preview tickets - $11.00 Call 215-723-9984 for reservations.

2006 Barrymore nominee Michael Philip O’Brien will be bringing his extraordinary talents to the Montgomery Theater stage September 13th through October 17th. O’Brien will play the character of Jamie in the musical The Last 5 Years.

The Last 5 Years, an Off-Broadway musical by Jason Robert Brown, won Drama Desk awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics in 2002. Told almost entirely in song, the two-character story moves along seamlessly from scene to scene as Jamie and Cathy tell the rise and fall of their five-year relationship in alternating sequences. The Last 5 Years has been called an intelligent, adult musical with one of the most exciting, melodic and eclectic contemporary scores written for the American theatre during the past decade.

Mr. O’Brien has a long history with Montgomery Theater, having performed in several musical productions and special concert performances. His first appearance was in 1995 at the age of 15 in Jesus Christ Superstar, followed by Hair, Tommy and Chess. Since then his career has grown at a dizzying pace.

Having recently finished a run at the Walnut Street Theater in Godspell, O’Brien has also been seen in The Wild Party, and Forever Plaid at the Media Theater, Sweeney Todd at the Arden Theatre Company, and Casino Paradise at the Prince Music Theatre. Michael also holds the position of Producing Artistic Director of the 11th Hour Theater Company, which he co-founded. His Barrymore nomination for Best Lead in a Musical was for his outstanding performance as Jonathon in tick tick...BOOM! (produced by 11th Hour.) The Barrymore Awards are presented by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

Starring as Cathy in The Last 5 Years is Chicago native Jessica Edwards. Ms. Edwards joined the Philadelphia theater community performing leading roles at the Media Theater in Titanic and The Student Prince. Critics have said Edwards brings a powerful voice and presence to the stage. Edwards and O’Brien are both members of the Actors Equity Association, the union for professional actors.

Known for its intimate setting, Montgomery Theater has recently become a professional Equity theater, and has raised the bar on theater excellence. Their season thus far has included excellent productions of John Patrick Shanley’s Psychopathia Sexualis, The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey, and the classic Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe. Each production was cast with some of the Greater Philadelphia area’s best professional actors, along with top-notch local talent, and performed on amazing sets that are a feast for the eyes.

Artistic Director Tom Quinn was recently quoted as saying, “Our mantra here is to serve the play, serve the actor, and serve the audience – in that order. In following this credo, we are allowing the stories to be told as they were intended to be, thus providing the theatergoer with an ultimate experience. One that is both artistic and human.” If you’ve ever attended a Montgomery Theater performance, you know exactly what this means. If you haven’t, then you owe it to yourself to come and feel the magic!

Box office opens 20 minutes before show. For more information and reservations call 215-723-9984, or visit our upgraded website at www.montgomerytheater.org to reserve online.

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