FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2005

Lantern Theater Company enters its twelfth year with its most collaborative season yet! Kicking off the season is The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen, in conjunction with the Edvard Munch exhibit at The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Next, we offer The Foocy, the World Premiere of a folktale conceived by Anthony Lawton. Then, the poignant and powerful U.S. Premiere of Novecento, by Alessandro Baricco, will grace the stage. Closing the season is the politically charged Shakespearean history, Richard III.

Our season begins September 30 with the Philadelphia Premiere of Henrik Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea, which runs until October 30. The beautiful Ellida has settled into marriage with kind, respectable Dr. Wangel. Restless, Ellida has tried to accept her life among the good doctor, his daughters and their sweetly laughable neighbors... until a mysterious stranger emerges from her past to claim her love. Join us for this touchingly comic, sharply observant portrait of a woman trapped between passion and reason. The production will mark the second production directed by Lantern Literary Manager and Education Director, Kathryn C. Nocero. The cast includes Susan McKey, Tim Moyer, Charles McMahon, Brian McCann, Jered McLenigan, Janice Rowland and Marla Burkholder.

Presented as a collaborative celebration of the arts of Norway, in association with the Museum's exhibition "Edvard Munch's Mermaid," this will be the first collaboration between the Lantern Theater and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Munch, Norway's most famous painter, was a noted contemporary of Ibsen. The Munch exhibition will be on view from September 24 through December 31, 2005 and will feature paintings and prints chronicling Munch's development of the mermaid subject. Munch's painting, "Mermaid", will be specially reframed for the exhibition and installed to suggest the original architectural context for which it was made. As an incentive to see both the play and the exhibition, throughout October, special 50% discounts will be offered to Museum visitors purchasing tickets to The Lady from the Sea. Likewise, the same 50% discount applies to Lantern Theater Company ticket holders on Museum admission. Visit www.philamuseum.org for details about the Munch exhibition.

Opening on December 2 and running through January, 2005, is the World Premiere of The Foocy by Philadelphia favorite Anthony Lawton's company, Ugly Stepsister Productions. Celebrate the holidays with this wickedly hilarious folktale! A malodorous witch roams the Russian countryside with her hideous golem, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. Surprises are in store when she finally reaches the small village of Vrinsk. Imaginatively staged with puppets, masks, and music, the workshop production of The Foocy was a runaway hit at the 2004 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Making his directing debut at the Lantern Theater is Matt Pfeiffer and the extraordinary ensemble cast includes Anthony Lawton, Aaron Cromie, Dave Jadico, Seth Reichgott and Rainey Lacey.

January brings the U.S. Premiere of Novecento by Alessandro Baricco. Born on the ocean liner Virginian, and spending his entire life at sea, Danny Boodmann T.D. Lemon Novecento was the world's greatest jazz pianist who never walked the earth. His best friend, a trumpeter played by the incomparable Frank X, shares the comic, poignant, and powerful story of friendship and a love affair with jazz music. This fable of the jazz age from one of Italy's most beloved writers will be directed by Resident Director, Dugald MacArthur. Novecento runs January 27-February 26, 2006.

Closing the season is William Shakespeare's classic history, Richard III running from March 24 through April 30, 2006. Victorious in the Wars of the Roses, the House of York wins the throne of England. But peace doesn't suit Richard of Gloucester, brother to the new king, and only a few poor innocent souls stand between him and the crown. What's a war-mongering tyrant to do? Watch the intrigue, deception, seduction, and betrayal unleashed by one of history's most gleeful villains, Richard III. The production will be directed by Lantern Theater Company Artistic Director and distinguished director of Shakespeare, Charles McMahon. Find out why critics are saying, "Nobody does Shakespeare better than Lantern Theater Company!"

For the 2005/06 season, ticket prices range from $17-$28. New this season - All Thursday shows begin at 7 PM. The Foocy also features Wednesdays at 7PM. Subscriptions are available now, starting as low as $44 for students and seniors. For tickets, contact our box office 215.829.9002 or our website for details: www.lanterntheater.org.