LIMITED RETURN ENGAGEMENT
By David Ives
Directed by Charles McMahon
September 4 - 30, 2012

Rediscover the record-breaking smash hit, featuring the same cast and design team as our original 2011 production! As the Inquisition bears down on them, a small Jewish community flees Portugal to find a tenuous peace in seemingly liberal Amsterdam. But Spinoza, a favorite son of the community and the rabbi's heir apparent, is a revolutionary thinker. When the boldness of his ideas strains the bounds of Amsterdam's professed tolerance, it leads to a dangerous confrontation between powerful political forces and his own beloved community. Based on true events in the life of one of the greatest philosophers in history, David Ives' engaging drama challenges traditional political and religious thinking with conviction, passion, and wit.

David Bardeen as Rabbi Saul Levi Mortera  •  David Blatt as Gaspar Rodrigues Ben Israel  •  Jake Blouch as Simon de Vries  •  Sam Henderson as Baruch de Spinoza  •  Kittson O'Neill as Rebekah de Spinoza  •  Seth Reichgott as Abraham van Valkenburgh  •  Mary Tuomanen as Clara van den Enden

Meghan Jones, Production Manager  •  Nick Embree, Scenic Designer  •  Maggie Baker, Costume Designer  •  Shon Causer, Lighting Designer  •  Nick Rye, Sound Designer  •  Rebecca Smith, Stage Manager  •  M. Craig Getting, Assistant Director

"People come to New Jerusalem because it asks, via Spinoza and his interrogators, the Big Questions, the eternal questions – and asks them dramatically, in a human story." –Playwright David Ives  read the interview

"New Jerusalem is why you get into theater in the first place: to bring people together, to start meaningful and enjoyable dialogue, and to put great ideas into perspective and show how they connect with our lives." –Director Charles McMahon  read the article

"An absorbing debate over theological ideas. You'll be surprised by this serious, intense drama." –Philadelphia Inquirer  more

"A first-rate production of a literate and often eloquent play. Lantern Theater [Company]'s production does full justice to David Ives's challenging play of ideas." –Broad Street Review  more

"An engaging courtroom drama full of complex philosophical ideas... Go see New Jerusalem." –Philadelphia Jewish Voice  more

"Compelling... Beautifully directed by Charles McMahon." –Examiner.com  more

"What would an Ives play be without its humor? The language is littered with lancing and spiked spins even as the issues of theological defiance and devilishly argued arraignments of belief and faith befall one and all." –Jewish Exponent

"A lively and inspiring debate." –Philadelphia City Paper