FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007

Lantern Theater Company, an expanding not-for-profit professional theater with an annual budget of $750,000, was recognized today with six nominations for the 2007 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theater. As one of 22 nominated companies, Lantern Theater Company proves, through its innovative and intimate approach to classics and original works, that it is one of the most vital theater companies in the region. Two of the Lantern's 2006/07 season productions were nominated for the following awards:

"Master Harold"...and the boys

• Outstanding Overall Production of a Play
• Outstanding Direction of a Play - David O'Connor
• Outstanding Ensemble in a Play
• Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play - Frank X as Sam

La Ronde

• Outstanding Costume Design - Millie Hiibel
  Ms. Hiibel was also nominated for the F. Otto Haas Award for An Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist

In addition to its production awards, Lantern Theater Company was also honored with a nomination for the Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award, for its program Illumination, which reaches underserved and economically-disadvantaged children throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Since the inception of Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre in 1995, the Lantern has received 10 awards and 46 nominations. 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).

About The Barrymore Awards
The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre are the Greater Philadelphia region's comprehensive theatre awards program, produced annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. This year's award winners will be announced at the Annual Barrymore Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 1, 2007. For more information, visit the Theatre Alliance website at www.theatrealliance.org.

About the Lantern
Founded in 1994 by Charles McMahon and Michael Brophy, Lantern Theater Company has emerged as one of the most successful professional theaters in the Philadelphia region. Lantern Theater Company is committed to an authentic and intimate exploration of the human spirit in its choice of classic, modern and original works.

The Lantern commits itself to being a vibrant, contributing member of its community. To that end, each season the Lantern produces four main stage productions, a variety of special events, and Illumination, the Barrymore-nominated education program designed to engage local students and adults alike in the world of theater and nurture their own artistic expression. This program reaches the Greater Philadelphia area in four vital ways: outreach in area schools, matinee performances for students, training teaching artists for after school programs, and our audience enrichment series of lectures, discussions, and symposia for each production of our season.

Lantern Theater Company has been in residence at St. Stephen's Theater at 10th & Ludlow Streets in Center City Philadelphia since 1996, managing the performance space and developing it into an affordable multi-purpose performing arts venue. The 2007/08 season at Lantern Theater Company marks the company's 14th year of creating high-quality professional theater in Philadelphia. For more information, please call 215.829.9002 or visit www.lanterntheater.org.

About the 2007/08 Season
Lantern Theater Company's 2007/08 season features The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh (September 14-October 6), The School for Wives by Molière (November 9-December 2, 2007), Skylight by David Hare (February 1-24, 2008), and Othello by William Shakespeare (March 28-April 27, 2008). The Lantern is also proud to welcome back by popular demand The Screwtape Letters, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, for a limited engagement run (January 2-13, 2008).

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 A 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 are $15-$35, with student, senior and group rates available.

Single tickets go on sale today, August 1, 2007.

For tickets and information, please contact the Lantern Theater Company box office at 215.829.0395 or visit us online at www.lanterntheater.org.