Theatre Exile presents a return engagement of its hit show The Philly Fan by Bruce Graham, conceived and performed by Tom McCarthy, and directed by Joe Canuso. The Philly Fan runs June 10-15, 2008 at The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215.922.4462 or go to www.ThePhillyFan.net: tickets are $25 - $30, and $50 for the Opening Night Fundraising Gala.

The Philly Fan is a one man tour-de-force where two time Barrymore Award winner Tom McCarthy takes audiences on a hilarious journey through the last fifty years of Philadelphia's sports history, and the frustrations therein. Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as "a theatrical love letter to the knowledgeable, unapologetic, demanding but ultimately forgiving [Philly] fans." This production is an in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is romp through the eyes of a hard core sports fan, who is accustomed to seeing sure-thing victories turn into "oh-my-God-they-blew-it" defeats.

Theatre Exile kicks off this one week only fundraising event with an Opening Night Fundraising Gala featuring performer Tom McCarthy, playwright Bruce Graham, director Joe Canuso, and "The Man of a Thousand Voices" and WIP Radio personality Joe Conklin. This one week performance concludes on Father's Day bringing to mind that memorable 1964 Father's Day when Jim Bunning pitched his perfect game. The Philly Fan relives this moment, the infamous Phillies collapse later that same year, as well as many other familiar ups and downs of Philly sports.

Directed by Theatre Exile's producing artistic director Joe Canuso, The Philly Fan premiered at the 2004 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe and has enjoyed several sold-out runs since then. Bruce Graham and Theatre Exile received a Barrymore Award nomination for "Best New Play" for the '05-'06 season. "After hundreds of requests from fans who saw the show last year and the overwhelming response to exit interviews from both sports and non-sports fans, we have bowed to audience demand to remount the production." Canuso said, "we are thrilled that even though the Philadelphia sports teams aren't always winners, this play resonates with audiences as a champion!"

ARTISTIC TEAM

Tom McCarthy (The Fan) is a native Philadelphian who has performed in most of the Equity theatres in Philadelphia. Productions include Arden Theatre Company's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Working, All My Sons, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Act II's Old Wicked Songs; Walnut Street Theatre's Orphans and Brighton Beach Memoirs; People's Light & Theatre Company's Glengarry Glen Ross; Wilma Theater's Escape from Happiness; Philadelphia Theatre Company's Minutes from the Blue Route. He received the 1997 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Actor for his portrayal of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman at the Arden Theatre Company. Television credits include the Majority Whip in "The West Wing", "Law & Order", "Homicide", "New York Undercover", "Ed" and "Hack". Film credits include Random Hearts, Fallen, Up Close and Personal and Blow Out. McCarthy has been president of the Screen Actors Guild in Philadelphia for the last 27 years. In 2003 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Tom served on the board of Arden Theatre Company for three years. This year will mark 30 years being the quizmaster for Delaware County's high school academic program, Hi-Q. In 2005 he was inducted into the Wall of Fame for Delaware County. Tom recently appeared in HBO's 5th season of "The Wire" as Baltimore Sun State Editor Tim Phelps.

Bruce Graham (Playwright) PLAYS: Burkie, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over The Brewery, Champagne Charlie Stakes, Minor Demons, Desperate Affection, Belmont Avenue Social Club, According to Goldman, Dex and Julie Sittin' in a Tree. Coyote on a Fence won the '98 Rosenthal Prize, was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, and ran on London's West End starring Ben Cross. Something Intangible premieres at the Arden in spring of '09. FEATURE FILMS: Dunston Checks In, Anastasia, Steal This Movie. T.V. MOVIES: Hunt for the Unicorn Killer, The Christmas Secret, Right on Track, Tiger Cruise, Ring of Endless Light. (Humanitas Award Winner - Best Children's Screenplay.) TELEVISION: Roseanne, Legwork. BOOK: The Collaborative Playwright (co-written with Michele Volansky) He has received awards from the Pew Foundation, the Theater Association of Pennsylvania, the Rockefeller Foundation and was the 1992 Princess Grace Foundation Statuette recipient. Graham currently teaches film and theater courses at Drexel University. He lives in Media, PA, with Stephanie and their daughter, Kendall.

Joe Canuso is the founder and producing artistic director of Theatre Exile where he has directed Mr. Marmalade, Red Light Winter, Full Figured/Loves to Dance, Last Call, The Gin Game, Valparaiso, Cryptome, Burkie, Amputation Nation, Big Blonde, Live at the Apollo Diner, Belmont Avenue Social Club, The Frankenharry Plays, Death & Taxes, and Escurial. He was nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play for Killer Joe and was part of the Barrymore Award winning ensemble of Glengarry Glen Ross. This is the fifth Bruce Graham play he has directed. Other directing credits include InterAct Theatre Company, Drexel University, The Brick Playhouse, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Allens Lane Theatre, and 1812 Productions. As an actor he has appeared in Theater Exile productions of Bug, Glengarry Glenn Ross, Parking, Rocketman, and Princess Ivona as well as at Wandering Rom Productions, Arden Theatre Company, People's Light & Theatre Company, Lantern Theater Company, SITE, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Potlatch, and Teatro delle Due in Italy.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT
Original sound and video design by Barrymore Award winner, F. Otto Haas Award recipient, and this year's Lucille Lortel Award winner for sound design, Jorge Cousineau. Original lighting design by two time Barrymore Award winner John Hoey. Voiceovers by Joe Conklin. Theatre Exile previously produced three other Graham hits: Belmont Avenue Social Club, Burkie, and Full Figured/Loves to Dance.

SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS
June 10-15 at The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.
Opening Night Fundraising Gala ($50)
Tue June 10 @ 8pm
Performances ($25-$30)
Wed June 11 - Fri June 13 @ 8pm
Sat June 14 @ 3pm
Sun June 15 @ 3pm
Closing ($30)
Sun June 15 @ 7pm

TICKET INFO:
Call 215.922.4462 or go to www.theatreexile.org. Tickets $25-$50.

Caution: Language used that you'd find in a corner bar on game night.

ABOUT THEATRE EXILE
Theatre Exile is a nonprofit theater company dedicated to enhancing the cultural experiences of all Philadelphians through the staging of works that engage the imagination. We produce risky and challenging plays that contain a sense of true Philadelphia grit and passion. We are constantly striving to reach out to new theater audiences throughout the community by presenting both new works as well as established plays that are often reinterpreted in original ways and/or held in unique site-specific locations.

We believe in freedom of expression formulated through innovation, exploration and provocation. At the same time, we provide a safe and creative environment in which local artists can grow and experiment and ultimately, find their own voice.

For photos, press information, or to schedule interviews contact Jenny Jacobs, External Relations Associate 525 S. 4th Street, Suite #475 Philadelphia, PA 19147 215.922.4462 jenny@theatreexile.org