Act II had already extended the run by one month; 24 additional performances are now on the schedule starting July 8. By close, it will have played 72 performances.

Act II producing artistic director Bud Martin directs this "uplifting story of women's evolving roles and lives, captured through popular songs of the 20th century," according to production notes. "As they go from co-dependence to independence— from 'Someone To Watch Over Me' to 'I Will Survive' to 'Hero' — the women of Respect will remind viewers of their sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, friends, and selves."

The cast includes Lois Sach Binder (Menopause: The Musical at Society Hill Playhouse), Danielle G. Herbert (Caroline, or Change at Arden Theatre), Jennifer Lorae (Muny's Fiddler on the Roof) and Cheryl Williams (Hedda Gabler, Mauckingbird Theatre). Collin Maier is music director.

The original version of Respect, inspired by Dr. Dorothy Marcic's book "Respect: Women and Popular Music," began in 1999 as a series of one-woman presentations — and then developed into a full-scale musical theatre piece in 2004.

Tickets are $30 for all Wednesday-Thursday performances and $35 for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. Group sales packages are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, visit www.act2.org or call the Act II Box Office at (215) 654-0200. *

Act II Playhouse, celebrating 10 years of professional theatre in the Philadelphia suburb of Ambler, PA, is "committed to creating world-class theatre in a venue whose intimacy draws audiences and actors into dynamic interaction."

Act II produces new, classic, and contemporary plays and musicals under the direction of Bud Martin (producing artistic director) and Harriet Power (associate artistic director).