FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009

Lantern Theater Company celebrates the holidays with the Philadelphia Premiere of Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell's brilliant and innovative adaptation of Molière's Scapin, which takes the master's characteristic sharp-witted comedy and soaks it in vaudevillian clowning. This offbeat reimagining of the classic puts Molière's famous servant Scapin at the center of an inventive interaction between actors and puppets in a production stuffed with pretty young lovers, revenge plots, chase scenes, slapstick and spoofery, live music, and lots of fun for the entire family. Scapin will be directed by Aaron Cromie, known as a performer, director, and puppeteer from such projects as The Foocy, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), The Fantasticks, and The Comedy of Errors. Scapin will run December 3 - January 3, 2010, with official press opening on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7pm.

Scapin is perfect for families with children ages 8 and up. As with the Lantern's recent hit The Foocy, kids will love the unique puppets popping out of surprising doors and windows on the topsy-turvy, two story set. Parents will love the quick wit and clever effects of beloved clown Bill Irwin's fast-paced adaptation. Parents will also love our Family Matinee Series (December 22 - January 2), featuring special family-friendly pricing at select performances around the holidays with prices starting at just $10 per ticket.

"The joy in Molière's plays comes from his sheer comic brilliance and from the sense of urgency that he invests in his characters," said Lantern Theater Company Artistic Director Charles McMahon. "Molière has always been a great favorite of ours at the Lantern, and we are very excited to be working on this wonderful adaptation of his work."

Scapin director Aaron Cromie said, "I am ecstatic to collaborate with these gifted actors and designers to create a world of puppetry where anything can happen in Molière's classic play." Scapin will be Aaron's seventh collaboration with the Lantern. In a relationship that began in 1997, he has worked as an actor in All's Well That Ends Well, Though the Looking Glass, Travels with My Aunt (Barrymore Award nomination for Best Actor), The Comedy of Errors (Barrymore Award nomination for Best Ensemble), and The Foocy (Barrymore Award nomination for Best Ensemble), as well as a choreographer (Barrymore Award win for Best Choreography for The Comedy of Errors) and creative consultant for his expertise in Commedia Dell'Arte. Aaron's Commedia Dell'Arte experience comes to the forefront again in his wild new reimagining of Scapin, where the classic Italian form collides with puppetry to create a wonderful new synthesis of comedic style.

The cast includes accomplished local Philadelphia actor Benjamin Lloyd (Barrymore Award nomination for Best Actor in 1812 Productions' Heckler) in the lead role as Scapin, actors Dave Johnson and Bradley K. Wrenn from the hit Philly Fringe productions of The Giant Squid and Annihilation Point, Leah Walton, and musician Mathew Wright, with a host of puppets taking on the remaining roles. Scenic designer Nick Embree has completely transformed the Lantern's intimate performance space with a bold and colorful rendition of a Venetian cityscape, imaginatively lit by lighting designer Shon Causer. Costume designer Mary Folino takes on the challenging task of clothing an army of human and nearly-human characters in turn-of-the-20th-century fashion.

Through our In Conversation Series, audience members will have an opportunity to gain insight into the production process, context, and themes of Scapin through discussions, lectures, and symposia scheduled throughout the run. With this audience enrichment program, we continue the essential dialogue with audiences to extend the theatrical experience long after the play ends. A full list of In Conversation events is listed below.

Scapin begins previews on Thursday, December 3, and opens Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm. The closing performance is scheduled for Sunday, January 3. Tickets are $20-$35, with discounts available for students, seniors, and groups of 10 and more, including a new student rush program that offers $10 tickets ten minutes before curtain. 3-Play and Flex subscriptions are also available for $54-$128. Lantern subscribers enjoy savings off single ticket prices, guaranteed seats, dining discounts to over 40 local restaurants, and more. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online at www.lanterntheater.org, by phone at 215.829.0395, or in person at St. Stephen's Theater at 10th & Ludlow Streets in Philadelphia.

WHAT
Scapin
Philadelphia Premiere
By Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell
Adapted from Jean Baptiste Molière
Directed by Aaron Cromie

WHERE
Lantern Theater Company
At St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia

WHEN
December 3, 2009 - January 3, 2010
A full performance schedule is available is online at www.lanterntheater.org/calendar/.

PRESS
Reviewing Press is invited to Opening Night of Scapin on Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm. Other Press may arrange for tickets for the first week of production, December 10-13, 2009. To reserve seats or for production images and interview requests, please contact Theodora Ashmead at 215.829.9002 x102 or tashmead@lanterntheater.org.

TICKETS
Single tickets are $20-$35 with discounts available for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more. $10 student rush tickets are available ten minutes before curtain with valid ID; cash only. Tickets can be ordered online at www.lanterntheater.org, by phone at 215.829.0395, or in person at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, PA.

FAMILY MATINEE SERIES
Holiday fun for everyone, featuring special family-friendly pricing at these performances:
$22 adults, $12 students/teens, $10 kids
Tuesday, December 22 at 2pm
Wednesday, December 23 at 1pm
Tuesday, December 29 at 2pm
Wednesday, December 30 at 11am & 4pm
$27 adults, $17 students/teens, $15 kids
Saturday, January 2 at 2pm

CAST
Benjamin Lloyd as Scapin
Dave Johnson as Sylvestre, Leandro, Ensemble
Leah Walton as Argante, Zerbinetta, Ensemble
Bradley K. Wrenn as Octavo, Geronte, Ensemble
Mat Wright as Georgio, Pianist/Musician, Ensemble

CREATIVE TEAM
By Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell, adapted from Jean Baptiste Molière
Director - Aaron Cromie
Set Designer - Nick Embree
Costume Designer - Mary Folino
Lighting Designer - Shon Causer
Puppet Designer - Aaron Cromie
Composer - Mat Wright
Assistant Costume Designer - Natalia De la Torre

LANTERN THEATER COMPANY: IN CONVERSATION
Press are also cordially invited to our In Conversation Series, which offers audiences an insider's look at each show from the Lantern's artistic team and guest scholars. Scapin events are as follows:

• Directors: In Conversation with Scapin director Aaron Cromie, Friday, December 11 at 7pm (Lantern Lab; free to all ticket holders)
• Artists: In Conversation with Scapin artists, Sunday, December 13 after the 2pm performance (Lantern Mainstage; free to all ticket holders)
• Pre-Curtain Cocktails with Lantern artists and fellow theatergoers, Friday, December 18 at 6pm (at Marathon Grill, 10th & Walnut Streets; free to attend, happy hour specials)
• Artistic Director: In Conversation with Lantern Artistic Director Charles McMahon and Associate Artistic Director Kathryn MacMillan, Friday, December 18 at 7pm (Lantern Lab; free to all ticket holders)

ABOUT THE LANTERN
Founded in 1994 by Charles McMahon and Michael Brophy, Lantern Theater Company has emerged as one of the most successful nonprofit professional theaters in the Philadelphia region. The Lantern is committed to an authentic and intimate exploration of the human spirit in our choice of classics, modern, and original works. We create an innovative and stimulating theatrical experience that evokes thoughtful reflection and discussion long after the play ends.

The Lantern commits itself to being a vibrant, contributing member of its community. To that end, the Lantern produces an eclectic season of classics, modern, and original works for the stage; Lantern Theater Company: In Conversation, our audience enrichment series that offers an insider's look at each show with theater artists, guest scholars, and other events intended to extend the dialogue with artists and audiences; and Illumination, our Barrymore Award-winning education program that engages local students in the world of theater and nurtures their own artistic expression through student matinee performances, outreach in local high schools, and after school drama clubs.

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. Since the inception of the Barrymore Awards in 1995, the Lantern has received 59 nominations and 13 awards, including the 2009 Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service.