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It's Only A Play

A Philadelphia-area native, Tony Braithwaite originally hails from Bala Cynwyd where he grew up entertaining his parents' party guests and perfecting his impersonations of Johnny Carson and Katherine Hepburn.  Perhaps it is thanks to these early influences that Tony Braithwaite is commonly recognized as more than a performer, but as a true entertainer.  A master of all ceremonies, a nod to generations past with the sharp, acerbic wit of today's greatest satirists. 

 

A jack-of-all-trades, Tony's talents extend far beyond the stage.  His leadership can be seen behind the scenes as the Artistic Director of Act II Playhouse and as the Director of Dramatics at his beloved alma mater, St. Joseph's Prep, a post he has held proudly since 1994.

Everyone is Talking...

No stranger to critics and reviews, Tony Braithwaite may be the most consistently praised artist in Philadelphia theatre.  Below are a few selections from various media outlets, colleagues, peers and fans over the years...

  • “He may be Philadelphia’s funniest man ever." -The City Paper

 

  • “Braithwaite is an all around song-and-dance man who was born to be a late-night TV host. He is engaging, funny, quick-witted, a master impressionist- as he showed recently in his show, “First Impressions.” And he has an engaging personality. He is, I dare say, loveable. There is a whole troupe of citizens who are called Braithwait-ians (even tougher word to type) in the Philadelphia area who immediately sign up for any show featuring Tony.” –Stan Isaacs, The Columnists

 

  •  “An all-purpose scene-stealing talent.“ –Variety

 

  • “The super comic gem of our area.” –Montgomery Newspapers

 

  • “Tony Braithwaite is a comedy superstar in these parts.“ –KYW News Radio

 

  • “A genial disciple of Martin Short and Nathan Lane.“ -Talkin' Broadway

 

  • “Tony Braithwaite is a superlative comic and impressionist...Braithwaite is first among Philly funnymen...He's brilliant...Braithwaite is a Philadelphia treasure. Tourists should visit him, along with the Liberty Bell and Pat's King of Steaks.” -The City Paper

 

  • “Unlike Broadway, which often draws its audience on the basis of a show's star power, regional theater usually attracts theatergoers through the company or the play. That is, unless that performer is Tony Braithwaite: hands-down Philadelphia's finest comedic performer and scene-stealer par excellence. Braithwaite is a master comedian. Wry, eminently likable and slyly subversive, he's unassuming in the manner of Jack Benny. And like all great comics, he's a deceptively fine actor, capable of making those he shares the stage with better.” –Philadelphia Weekly

 

  • “The slight, boyish-looking actor is blessed with an intensity that makes the Energizer Bunny look like a couch potato.” –Rittenhouse Review

 

  • “The impish, two-ton-talented Tony Braithwaite is an actor who also sings and dances on many area stages, as well as a writer and performer of one-man shows, a three-time Barrymore Award winner, and the dramatics director at St. Joseph's Preparatory School. But he's never been a talk-show host. Now he is that, too.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

  • “And if a company wants to stage a successful comedy, the first rule of Philadelphia theatre requires casting Tony Braithwaite. In Boeing-Boeing, everything (and I mean everything) he does incites laughter.” –Jim Rutter, Edge Philadelphia

 

  • “Braithwaite fits the talk show host mold. He has a deep, assured voice and a deadpan similar to his idol Johnny Carson.” – Philadelphia Daily News

 

  • “Tony is beloved by Philadelphia audiences.” –Terry Nolen, Arden Theatre Company

 

  • “He is one of the greatest wits I know.” –Jennifer Childs, 1812 Productions

 

  • “He is, after all, the funniest man in Philadelphia.” –Michael Hollinger, Playwright

 

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