FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2007

Lantern Theater Company is pleased to announce its 2007/08 season, which spans the theatrical canon, offering the best of the classics and contemporary works. Founded in 1994 by Artistic Director Charles McMahon and Michael Brophy, Lantern Theater Company continues to advance its mission of investigating the human spirit through intimate, innovative and stimulating theatrical productions.

Opening the 2007/08 season at Lantern Theater Company is acclaimed Irish playwright Martin McDonagh's (The Pillowman, The Beauty Queen of Leenane) savagely funny portrait of family ties, THE LONESOME WEST. In the tiny Irish backwater of Leenane, warring brothers Valene and Coleman live to torment each other, baiting and brawling over every petty grievance. Only Father Welsh, the local parish priest, will try to save them before their sibling rivalry explodes into a hilarious and brutal finish. David O'Connor, who directed the 2006/07 season opening production of "Master Harold"...and the boys, will direct The Lonesome West, which will run from September 14 - October 7, 2007. Press Opening is Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 7pm.

Next in the season, Lantern Theater Company presents the THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES by Molière, the great master of French farce. In The School for Wives, he has crafted the swift unraveling of a pompous man's plan to mold the perfect wife. Arnolphe, an aging bachelor, determined to avoid an unfaithful wife, plans to marry a girl too innocent, and too ignorant, to fool him. But in his house of bumbling servants, awakening passions, and open windows for determined suitors, Arnolphe's plan is bound to backfire. Kathryn Nocero, whose previous Lantern directing credits include the Philadelphia premiere production of QED (2006), The Lady from the Sea (2005) and Catalpa (2004), returns to the Lantern in 2007/08 to direct The School for Wives. The School for Wives will run from November 9 - December 2, 2007. Press Opening is Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 7pm.

David Hare, hailed by London's The Guardian as a playwright who "engages the heart and mind," brings together past lovers for a heated reunion in a chilly London flat in the third play of our season, SKYLIGHT. Kyra – gutsy, sexy, and stubborn – and Tom – sophisticated, witty, and reserved – are an unlikely and volatile match. Intimate, thought-provoking, and often funny, Skylight is a head-on collision of wills and desires from a powerful voice in contemporary theater. Dan Kern, Chair of the Graduate Directing Program at Temple University, will direct Skylight, which will run from February 1 - 24, 2008. Press Opening is Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 7pm.

Closing the season is Shakespeare's OTHELLO, one of the most powerful tragedies of the English language. The charismatic general Othello is admired throughout Venice for his strength, honesty, and courage...except by the treacherous villain Iago. When Othello marries the beautiful Desdemona, Iago seizes the opportunity to exploit the general's trust, inflame his jealousy, and ultimately destroy him. Local favorite actor Frank X (most recently seen on the Lantern stage in 2006 as Sam in "Master Harold"...and the boys) plays the title character in this taut epic of passion and betrayal that crashes to a devastating conclusion. Barrymore Award-winning actor Peter Pryor (2006 Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play, Richard III) plays Iago. Lantern Theater Company Artistic Director Charles McMahon (director of the 2007 production of La Ronde and the 2006 Barrymore Award-winning Outstanding Production of a Play, Richard III) will direct Othello. Othello will run from March 28 - April 27, 2008. Press Opening is Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7pm.

Lantern Theater Company continues its LANTERN LECTURE SERIES during the 2007/08 season. This special event program offers intimate discussions and dialogues with scholars that are designed to introduce audiences to the season selections. The four-part Monday evening series is open for registration and will feature 7pm lectures at St. Stephen's Theater on September 10, November 5, January 28, and March 24. Also on the calendar is the wildly popular SYMPOSIUM SERIES, which features post-show discussions with members of the creative team and special guests that are free to ticket holders. Symposium discussions will be held following the Saturday matinee performances on October 6, December 1, February 23, and April 19. The DIRECTOR'S DISCUSSION, a pre-show conversation with the production director, also continues this season with Friday 7pm pre-show discussions on September 21, November 16, February 8 and April 4. New this season, MEET THE ARTISTS, a post-show discussion with members of the cast and creative team scheduled twice per run, after the Thursday 7pm evening performances scheduled on September 20, November 15, February 7, and April 3, plus following the Wednesday 2pm matinee series on September 26, November 21, February 13, and April 9.

Since the inception of Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre in 1995, Lantern Theater Company has received 10 awards and 40 nominations, including a nomination for the 2006 Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award. Recent Barrymore wins include Outstanding Overall Production of a Play (for Richard III) and Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play (Peter Pryor in Richard III). The 2007/08 season at Lantern Theater Company marks the company's 14th year of creating high-quality professional theater.

Four-play subscriptions are available for the 2007/08 season at up to 25% off single ticket prices, with packages ranging in price from $48-$104. Lantern Theater Company is pleased to offer the flexible À la Carte Subscription – a package of four tickets to be used in any combination for any play – for a limited time only until September 1, 2007 at $100 for adults, $88 for seniors and $50 for students. Single tickets for the 2007/08 season will be on sale beginning August 1, 2007 and are $15-$35, with student, senior and group rates available. For tickets and information, please contact the Lantern Theater Company box office at 215.829.9002 or visit us online at www.lanterntheater.org.

Lantern Theater Company, the resident company at St. Stephen's Theater, is located at 10th and Ludlow Streets in Center City, Philadelphia. All events, dates and times are subject to change.