Bucks County stage actress Penny Larson Vine, who created the role of Jeanette Burmeister for the national tour of “The Full Monty and then played her on the road for over three years, is back at home and on her favorite stage in the world, she says, the Bucks County Playhouse, in the playhouse’s production of “The Full Monty” through August 31.
“After those three years, I went back on the road in ‘The Wedding Singer’ for a year but when I learned that the playhouse would be doing ‘Monty’ I asked to be released from the tour so that I could come home and appear in ‘Monty’ in my home town,” says Vine.
Larsen Vine’s relationship to the Playhouse dates back to the 1963 production of “See How They Run.” And two of her daughters got their start at the famed New Hope theater and went on to appear on Broadway, Stephanie in the original Broadway production of “Annie” and her other daughter Liz who was nominated for a Tony Award in “Most Happy Fella.” Liz has also appeared at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick.
“There is just something special about the Bucks County Playhouse. Not only to me but to so many actors who just feel connected to Bucks. Sure I can make a lot more on the road but, pulling into that parking lot and walking out on that stage eight times a week is worth a million,” Larson says. “You know it’s just home for me and appearing at the Playhouse is one of the best jobs in show business.”
Playhouse owner Ralph Miller says, “Penny is the Grand Dame of this theater and she was missed greatly over the last four years while she was on those national tours but now she’s home and back on our stage and we and the audiences are better off because Penny’s home.”
The Full Monty, through Sunday, August 31, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope. Musical. $23. 215-862-2041 or www.buckscountyplayhouse.com.
