We look forward to welcoming you and your students to the Lantern! Student audiences bring a unique energy and curiosity to live performances, and we know that attending great performances can powerfully shape students' relationship to curricular material and dramatic literature. Your reservation includes discounted tickets, lesson plans, study guides, and post-show talkbacks with the cast. For booking and other information, please contact Talia Speak, Education & Artistic Associate, at tspeak@lanterntheater.org or 215.829.9002 x106.

Harlem, 1930. The music is hot, and change is in the air. Angel is a talented singer looking for her big break, and her friend Guy wants to design costumes for Josephine Baker. When a southern stranger enters their lives, will he help them reach their dreams or destroy them? Pearl Cleage's drama of the Harlem Renaissance is mesmerizing, inventive, and soulful.

Weekday Matinees @ 10AM
Tuesday 2/24/26 SOLD OUT
Tuesday 3/3/26 SOLD OUT
Tuesday 3/10/26 limited availability
Friday 3/13/26 SOLD OUT
Tuesday 3/17/26 SOLD OUT
Wednesday 3/18/26 SOLD OUT

Best Enjoyed By
10th Grade and up

Relevant Class Subjects
American History, Drama, English Language Arts, Theater Arts

Running Time
2 hours and 15 minutes, including one brief intermission

Content Advisory
The play contains mature themes including discussion of reproductive rights, homophobia, racism, economic hardship, on-stage gun violence and death.

Benjamin Franklin played many roles: publisher, inventor, political agitator, diplomat – and he wanted his son to follow him into the sciences. When William rebels and becomes the Royal Governor of New Jersey, the stage is set for a father-son conflict of international proportions. Join us for the Philadelphia premiere of Lloyd Suh's endearing and insightful new play of revolutionary consequences, in the city where it happened.

Weekday Matinees @ 10AM
Tuesday 5/19/26
Tuesday 5/26/26
Tuesday 6/2/26
Friday 6/5/26
Tuesday 6/9/26
Best Enjoyed By
8th Grade and up

Relevant Class Subjects
American History, Comedy, English Language Arts, History, Theater Arts

Expected Running Time
75 minutes with no intermission

Pricing
Student tickets for weekday morning matinees are $18 each. One free teacher/chaperone ticket is provided for every 10 student tickets purchased.

Study Guides
Lantern study guides enable you to bring the show into your classroom. Our guides include information about the play and the playwright, thought-provoking questions, and fun classroom activities. Lesson plans meet national and state standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Language Arts, and Theater Arts.

Q&A with the Cast
Learn about the making of each play! We hold a talkback following every student matinee performance to give students the opportunity to ask questions of the members of the cast.

Performance Venue & Accessibility
All student matinee performances during the 2025/26 season will take place at St. Stephen's Theater, 923 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. We regret that access to both the performance space and restrooms at St. Stephen's Theater requires navigating a flight of stairs. Unfortunately, no elevator service is available. If your student group includes individuals with special needs or who would benefit from early seating, please let us know when you inquire about making a reservation so that we may plan on appropriate accommodations.

Health and Safety Policy
Face masks are welcome, but not required.

Join us for any regularly-scheduled mainstage performance and pay just $20 per ticket. This group discount is available for all middle school, high school, and university groups of 10 or more students. To inquire about group tickets, please submit an online inquiry. Questions? Please contact Talia Speak, Education & Artistic Associate, at tspeak@lanterntheater.org or 215.829.9002 x106.