Act II Playhouse Presents MURRAY THE ELF, Now thru 12/23

Act II Playhouse in Ambler presents the world premiere of Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe, a new comedy for kids and their families, from today, Dec. 14-23, 2012.

Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe is the first children's play in Act II's history. Written and directed by Act II's Communication and Education Director Bill D'Agostino, the new play mixes mystery with comedy for an exciting story everyone in the family can enjoy.

Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe stars Will Dennis as Murray, a shopping mall elf who is called up by Mrs. Claus to the North Pole to solve "the case of the missing mistletoe." But things in Toyland are never what they appear to be.

Actor Andy Shaw plays all the other characters in this original story, including Mrs. Claus, Rudy the Reindeer, Chilly the Snowman, and the bewitching Candy Kane.

"As a kid, my parents always took me to the theatre, especially at holiday time. It was part of what helped me experience the joy of theatre and become a lifelong theatre-lover," Act II's Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite said. "As we venture in shows just for kids, Act II hopes to do the same."

Designed for children ages 5-12 and their families, every performance Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe includes a pre-show sing-along and a post-show question-and-answer session with the writer/director and cast.

Tickets for Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe are $8 for kids, $12 for adults, and $10 for Act II subscribers. There are six performances: today, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m.; Friday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. Additional dates and times may be added for large groups.

Tickets are available by calling the Act II box office at (215) 654-0200, in person at 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, or online at www.act2.org. Box office hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.