FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2005

Lantern Theater Company opens its 2005/06 season on Friday, September 30, 2005 with the Philadelphia Premiere of Henrik Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea, which runs until Sunday, October 30, 2005. Throughout the month of performances, the Lantern will host many events at the theater, inviting new patrons and celebrating the 100th anniversary of Norwegian independence.

Presented as a collaborative celebration of the arts of Norway, this production marks the first collaboration between Lantern Theater Company and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the Edvard Munch "Mermaid" exhibit will be on view from September 24 through December 31, 2005. Norway's most famous painter, Munch was a noted contemporary of Henrik Ibsen. The exhibit will feature paintings and prints chronicling Munch's development of the mermaid subject and the "Mermaid" painting specifically will be reframed and installed to suggest the original architectural context for which it was made. As an incentive to see both the play and the exhibition, throughout October special 50% discounts will be offered to Museum visitors purchasing tickets to The Lady from the Sea. Likewise, the same 50% discount applies to Museum admission for Lantern ticket holders. Visit www.philamuseum.org for details about the Munch exhibition.

Lantern Theater Company is also pleased to participate in Theatre Communication Group's (TCG) Free Night of Theater program and invites first-time theatergoers to attend a performance of The Lady from the Sea free of charge on Thursday, October 20, 2005. Subscribers holding tickets to the Lantern on October 20 will be encouraged to maintain their subscription tickets and welcome newcomers to the theater. In turn, subscribers will be offered rainchecks to attend a new theater company for free at a later date. Theater is Alive is piloted this year in three cities across the nation, including Philadelphia, Austin and San Francisco, and "is designed to introduce theatre to non-theatre goers, and to expand the range of experiences to existing patrons by encouraging them to visit new organizations." Ben Cameron, Executive Director of TCG, stated, "We knew we wanted three cities that would represent different parts of the country. After reviewing more than 30 potential partner cities, we were extremely pleased to extend the invitation to the Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. This is a testament, not only to the theaters in Greater Philadelphia, but the arts community and service organization that they have created."

The Free Night of Theater event showcases the first-class theater in Philadelphia and also serves to kick-off Arts and Culture Week (running October 20-30, 2005) in local partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Center City District. In recognition of Arts and Culture Week, the Lantern will host two special events during the week. On Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 6:30pm, the Lantern will host a Meet and Greet Norwegian Happy Hour at St. Stephen's Theater, located at 10th and Ludlow Streets. Guests are invited to mingle with the Lantern's staff and the cast and creative team of The Lady from the Sea, and enjoy a beer tasting from Yards Brewing Company and a light complimentary nosh. Special half-price tickets will be available for the 8pm performance of The Lady from the Sea on that evening.

The second special event offered by the Lantern during Arts and Culture Week is the symposium, To See Inwards: Symbolism and Experience in the Works of Norway's Henrik Ibsen and Edvard Munch, on Saturday, October 23 at 4:30pm. This exciting discussion with Joan Templeton, President of the Ibsen Society of America and Philadelphia Museum of Art Curators, John H. Zarobell and Shelly Langdale, will be moderated by The Lady from the Sea director, Kathryn C. Nocero.

In The Lady from the Sea, the beautiful Ellida has settled into marriage with kind, respectable Dr. Wangel. Restless, Ellida has tried to accept her life among the good doctor, his daughters and their sweetly laughable neighbors... until a mysterious stranger emerges from her past to claim her love. Join us for this touchingly comic, sharply observant portrait of a woman trapped between passion and reason. The production will mark the second production directed by Lantern Theater Company's Literary Manager/Education Director, Kathryn C. Nocero. The cast includes Marla Burkholder, Susan McKey, Charles McMahon, Brian McCann, Jered McLenigan, Tim Moyer, and Janice Rowland.

Next on stage is The Foocy, the World Premiere of a folktale conceived by Anthony Lawton. Then, the poignant and powerful U.S. Premiere of Novecento, by Alessandro Baricco, will grace the stage. Closing the season is the politically charged Shakespearean history, Richard III.

For the 2005/06 season, ticket prices range from $17-$28. New this season - All Thursday shows begin at 7 PM. The Foocy also features Wednesdays at 7PM. Subscriptions are available now, starting as low as $44 for students and seniors. For tickets, contact our box office at 215.829.9002 or visit our website for details: www.lanterntheater.org.