FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008

Lantern Theater Company, a non-profit professional theater company, is excited to announce their eighth annual benefit event with Spring Soiree: Making Waves. This cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, including silent auction, will be held Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 6-9pm at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 700 Walnut Street. Tickets for the event start at $90 and can be purchased by calling Theodora W. Ashmead, Development Director, at 215.829.9002 x102. This year's benefit committee of over 70 Lantern supporters is Co-Chaired by Cristian David, Jill Newirth Horn, Eileen Murphy, and Sarah Weinstein. (The full committee list appears below.)

"We're so proud to celebrate Lantern Theater Company's 14th season. The Lantern has made a genuine contribution to the city with plays that are timeless, take risks and resonate with our audience. Many share in this achievement and will celebrate with an event that is both a culmination and a beginning." –Sarah Weinstein, Making Waves Co-Chair

Held at the art deco inspired Oceanaire Seafood Room in the former PSFS building on Washington Square, Spring Soiree: Making Waves will feature a "Gifts of the Sea" hors d'oeuvres reception, along with the entertainment of a soothsayer and magician. The evening will also offer a variety of silent auction and raffle prizes, from theater tickets to exclusive vacation packages. This year's event builds on the popularity of Moonlight Masquerade, Lantern's 2007 benefit held at RAE restaurant at The Cira Centre, which attracted a record-setting attendance of 150 people and raised over $32,000. As Lantern Theater Company looks toward their 15th anniversary season, the 2008 goals are even higher with a projected capacity of 200 guests and a fundraising goal of $40,000 to support the community outreach and education programs of the theater.

Press planning coverage of the event may make reservations for Spring Soiree: Making Waves by calling 215.829.9002 x106. Reservations are due by Friday, February 22, 2008 at 5pm. Capacity is limited to 200.

About the Lantern's 2007/08 Season
Lantern Theater Company's 2007/08 season continues with Skylight by David Hare (February 1-24, 2008), Othello by William Shakespeare (March 28-April 27, 2008). The 2007/08 Season began with The Lonesome West and The School for Wives, both of which were extended by popular demand. The Lantern also presented The Screwtape Letters, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, adapted by and starring Anthony Lawton, for a limited engagement, sold-out run. All Lantern Theater Company performances take place at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, PA.

SPRING SOIREE: MAKING WAVES

BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
Cristian David
Jill Newirth Horn
Eileen Murphy
Sarah Weinstein

BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Cynthia Adams
Charlene Aikman
Eileen Baird
Jacob Belkin
Jane Biberman
Louis Bluver
Anne and Richard Bockol
Angela Branham-Britt *
Lisa Hemphill Burns
Tish Byrne
Brian Campbell
Lee and Susan Cassanelli
Joan L. Coale
Mary Jo Coll *
Nicholas D. Constan
Kimberlee Cook
Angela H. D'Amato, Esq. *
Frank A. Dante, Esq. *
Stacy M. Dutton *
Jennifer and Allan Espiritu
Tranda S. Fischelis
Kay and Jim Gately
Emma Gibson and Alastair Southwell
Maxine and Jay L. Goldberg, Esq. *
Christopher Good
Laurel Grady
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Greenhalgh
Allison and Doug Gumbs
Dr. and Mrs. John Hansen-Flaschen
John R. Heard
Donna M. Hill, Esq. *
Nancy and Neil Hoffmann
Andrew Hohns and Leah Popowich
Laurie and Robert Jacobs
Kathleen Kinslow *
Shelley R. Langdale
Lucille Larkin * and Paul Macdonald
Carol and David Levin
Christine and Dugald MacArthur
Willing Madeira
Florence Marcus
Helen J. McMahon
Joan Mechlin
Sara Merriman
Deb Miller and Ray Costello
Amanda Mott
Ellen and Michael Mulroney
Michael Norris
Donald Paterson
Gail and Bob Richardson
Michael H. Rosenthal, Esq. *
Stephen P. Rush *
Dr. Nathan and Dolly Beechman-Schnall
Anne Shuff * and Mike Creech
Dr. Roberta Sloan
Gayle R. Smith
Carolyn Hagan Stubbs and Richard Stubbs
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Suplee
Jim Trachtenberg
Dr. R. J. Wallner
Julia Ward
Donna Wechsler

*Denotes Lantern Board Member

About Lantern Theater Company
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 mainstage 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. Since the inception of Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre in 1995, the Lantern has received 10 awards and 46 nominations, including nominations in 2006 and 2007 for the 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 thaeter in Philadelphia.