Let's Pretend We're Married
Created and Performed by
Tony Braithwaite & Jennifer Childs
May 26th-June 14th, 2009

Just in time for all the June brides, 1812 Productions closes its 2008-2009 season with the world premiere cabaret, Let's Pretend We're Married. Let's Pretend We're Married was created by and will be performed by Philadelphia favorites Tony Braithwaite and Jennifer Childs. Let's Pretend We're Married will run from May 26th to June 14th at the Independence Foundation Black Box at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street. Press Opening is Wednesday May 27th at 7pm. For tickets and information, call 215.592.9560 or visit www.1812productions.org.

In a classic cabaret style, Let's Pretend We're Married will feature music and sketches from comedy's most famous couples. The Bickersons, Edith and Archie Bunker, Lucy and Desi, Sonny and Cher-and a special salute to Burns and Allen, whose material Braithwaite and Childs first began performing 10 years ago, here at 1812. The musical selection is just as varied with classic cuts from Tom Lehrer, Stephen Sondheim, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and even The Artist Formerly Known As 'The Artist Formerly Known As Prince'.

Let's Pretend We're Married also offers the ultimate in audience participation as married couples can renew their vows during a performance of the show. Couples have their choice of a Traditional Theme, Las Vegas Theme, or Hawaiian Theme-and there is even a pop-up Chuppa for Jewish Couples (or anyone else who would like to use it!). All married couples are welcome (including visitors from Massachusetts, Vermont, California, and Iowa!). Tony Braithwaite, newly ordained through the Universal Life Church online ministry, will officiate and Jen Childs will be everyone's favorite flower-girl. Couples interested in renewing their vows should contact 1812 productions' administrative office at 215.592.9560 for details.

A delightful, musical comedy celebration of the world's greatest, and most complicated institution, Let's Pretend We're Married showcases two of the region's long-standing comedy masters. "There are few people I enjoy performing with more than Tony Braithwaite," says Jennifer Childs. "At one point, Tony and I were laughing about the number of times we've played married couples for numerous productions-so we decided to give ourselves the pretend wedding we never had. We are wonderful foils for each other and love making each other laugh. I'm really looking forward to celebrating our onstage friendship - and all the married couples we've played - with this cabaret."

Cast

Jennifer Childs: Jennifer is the Artistic Director and Co-founder of 1812 Productions. For 1812 she has created and directed eleven original pieces including Cherry Bomb, This Is The Week That Is, The Big Time, and Always a Lady. In addition to her work with 1812 she has been performing and directing in the Philadelphia region for the past seventeen years. Favorite recent projects outside of 1812 include The Happiness Lecture with Bill Irwin at Philadelphia Theatre Company, Fail Better with Nichole Canuso Dance Company, and Karen Getz' Disco Descending at The Live Arts Festival. She has been nominated for eleven Barrymore Awards and has won twice - as Best Supporting Actress in a Play for the Wilma's Escape From Happiness and the 1999 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Theatre Artist. She recently received an Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts to develop a solo piece entitled Why I'm Scared of Dance By Jen Childs. She teaches at the University of the Arts and serves on the Mayor's Cultural Advisory Council.

Tony Braithwaite: Tony returns for his ninth stint with 1812 Productions, having appeared in - and helped write - most of the annual Holiday shows since 2000. Tony has worked in many theatres in and around Philly since 1996. Recent roles include Billy in Iron Kisses at Act 2 Playhouse and Felix in The Odd Couple at The Kimmel Center. Up next: playing 47 characters in Fully Committed at Montgomery Theatre in Souderton in mid-June. In the fall Tony will play Robert in Boeing-Boeing at Act 2, and then he'll return as the News Anchor in 1812's latest installment of This is The Week That Is in December. Tony is a 3-time Barrymore Awards' nominee, a 4-time Host, and a 1-time winner (for The Big Bang at Act 2). For 15 years, Tony has run the Theatre Department at his beloved alma mater, St. Joe's Prep, where he will direct Sweeney Todd this fall. Tony has worked with the awesome and adorable Jen Childs dozens and dozens of times since they were both in The Arden's Midsummer Night's Dream in 1998. Since then they have performed together and collaborated on stage, in clubs, on the radio, at corporate events, and they even co-directed the annual Mask and Wig show for UPenn together this year. www.tonybraithwaite.com

Let's Pretend We're Married
Fact Sheet & Performance Schedule
Written & Performed by: Jennifer Childs
Tony Braithwaite

Location: The Independence Foundation Black Box
at The Prince Music Theater
1412 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tickets: $20-$32

Dates: May 26th-June 14th, 2009

Tickets and Information Contact: 1812 Productions
421 N. 7th Street
Suite 218
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-9560
info@1812productions.org
www.1812productions.org
Press Photos & Credits: www.1812productions.org/press

Tuesday, May 26th, 8pm (PREVIEW)
Wednesday, May 27th, 7pm (OPENING NIGHT)
Thursday, May 28th, 8pm
Friday, May 29th, 8pm
Saturday, May 30th, 2pm
Saturday, May 30th, 8pm
Sunday, May 31st, 2pm

Tuesday, June 2nd, 8pm
Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:30pm
Thursday, June 4th, 8pm
Friday, June 5th, 8pm
Saturday, June 6th, 2pm
Saturday, June 6th, 8pm
Sunday, June 7th, 2pm

Tuesday, June 9th, 8pm
Wednesday, June 10th, 6:30pm
Thursday, June 11th, 8pm
Friday, June 12th, 8pm
Saturday, June 13th, 2pm
Saturday, June 13th, 8pm
Sunday, June 14th, 2pm