FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2006

This February, Lantern Theater Company turns up the heat with Viennese playwright Arthur Schnitzler's best-known drama, La Ronde. Provocative, stylish, and erotic, La Ronde follows a chain of amorous couplings across turn-of-the-century Vienna. Exchanging one lover for another, two actors take on ten diverse characters in sexy duets that explore the passions, deceptions and disconnections of modern love. Unflinchingly ahead of its time, La Ronde, in its 1921 premiere, caused one of the greatest scandals in theater history! La Ronde will perform from February 2 - 25, 2006. Charles McMahon, Artistic Director of Lantern Theater Company, translated La Ronde from the original German text Reigen and directs this production.

Written in 1897, La Ronde was published by the author for private circulation to friends. Upon its first broad circulation in Vienna in 1903 (40,000 copies sold), the play was censored due to its sexual subject matter, but later found another publisher in Germany in 1908. Following a 1921 production in Berlin, the play provoked anti-semitic riots and lead to Schnitzler's six-day defense of obscenity charges in the German court. Despite his acquittal, Schnitzler banned performances of the play in Europe until after his death. Even following his death in 1931, Schnitzler's works continued to provoke and incite anti-semitic riots, at which his texts were burned along with those of other Jewish writers.

"The world of La Ronde was one of great affluence, complexity and sophistication," comments Artistic Director/Production Director Charles McMahon. "Schnitzler's fascination with both psychotherapy and human sexuality, however, produces a portrayal that goes far beyond the generalities of this Victorian society and takes us deep into the hidden recesses of the private lives of people from every part of the social spectrum."

Celebrated Philadelphia area performers Ben Dibble (2006 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist), and Sarah Sanford (member of Pig Iron Theatre Company) take on all of the play's male and female roles, respectively. La Ronde is also designed by a team of talented local artists: Meghan Jones (sets), Millie Hiibel (costumes), Janet Embree (lighting), and Nick Rye (sound).

La Ronde previews begin on Friday, February 2. Preview performances run February 2, 3, 4 and 6. Opening night is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, and the show runs through Sunday, February 25, 2006. Single tickets, now on sale, range from $15 to $30 and may be purchased by calling the Lantern Box Office at 215.829.9002 or ordered online at www.lanterntheater.org or in person at the box office at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow Streets 10am-6pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour before curtain on performance days. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups of 20 or more.


Where:
Lantern Theater Company
At St. Stephen's Theater
10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia

When:
February 2 - 25, 2007

Reviewing Press: are invited to attend Opening Night of La Ronde on Wednesday, February 7 (7pm performance).

Other Press: may arrange for tickets for the first week of production, February 8 - 11, 2006, by calling 215.829.9002.

Associated Events:
Lecture Series (with Liliane Weissberg, January 22, 7pm)
Director's Discussion (with Charles McMahon, February 9, 7pm)
Symposia (with Kilian Fritsch, April 15, 4pm)

Following La Ronde, the 2006/07 season continues with The Taming of the Shrew (March 30-April 29, 2007). Single tickets for the 2006/07 season are $15-$30, with student, senior and group rates available. New this season: weekday performances at 7pm and a special 2pm Wednesday matinee offered once per run. Events, dates and times subject to change. For tickets and information, please contact the Lantern Theater Company box office at 215.829.9002 or visit us online at www.lanterntheater.org.