FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2005

This December, Lantern Theater Company introduces the World Premiere of Anthony Lawton's puppet comedy, The Foocy, in association with Ugly Stepsister Productions. Philadelphia native Matt Pfeiffer, who directed the sensational workshop production of The Foocy at the 2004 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, will also direct the Lantern's production.

This wickedly hilarious folktale tells the story of a malodorous witch who roams the Russian countryside with her hideous golem, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. Surprises are in store when she reaches the small village of Vrinsk, fifty years after her last visit. Perfect for the holidays, children and adults alike will delight in The Foocy and its imaginative staging of puppets, masks and music.

The Philadelphia based ensemble Ugly Stepsister Productions includes theatre artists Aaron Cromie (performer/puppet, mask, costume and visual design), Dave Jadico (performer/scenic design), Rainey Lacey (performer/musical supervisor), Anthony Lawton (playwright/performer), and Seth Reichgott (performer).

Lawton, who has extensive acting credits at the Lantern, comments, "Much of my identity as an artist developed at the Lantern. I have performed in more than 10 shows there in roles that have forced me to stretch myself as an actor and which supported my artistic growth. With The Foocy, I cross a new frontier with the Lantern as a playwright and I am so grateful that my original script will have its first professional production with a company that has been so supportive of me throughout my career."

The unique staging of The Foocy was borne out of the collaborative process of the Ugly Stepsister Productions ensemble. "During the developmental phase of The Foocy, Dave [Jadico] and I read the play a number of times to determine what the characters and scenic elements should look like," says designer and performer Aaron Cromie. "We concluded that masks and puppets were the best medium for the story. They are fun for the audience and a challenge for the performers... the type of challenge that makes you want to do theatre."

The Foocy is supported in part by The Jim Henson Foundation and a grant from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, a program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts.

Performances of The Foocy begin on Friday, December 2, 2005 and run through Sunday, January 1, 2006 at St. Stephen's Theater, located at 10th and Ludlow Streets in Philadelphia. Tickets range in price from $14-$28 and are available now by visiting or calling the box office at 215.829.9002, or online at www.lanterntheater.org.

The Foocy Performance Schedule
Previews:
12/2, 12/3 and 12/6 at 8pm, 12/4 at 2pm
Opening:
12/7 at 7pm
Regular Run:
Wednesdays at 7pm
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 8pm (also 2pm performance on December 31)
Sundays at 2pm, 7pm (no 7pm performance on January 1)

Ticket Prices
Previews:
$14 (all levels)
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturday matinees, Sunday evenings:
$22 regular
$19 senior (65 and over)
$17 student (with ID)
Fridays, Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees:
$28 regular
$23 senior (65 and over)
$20 student (with ID)
Special group rates are available.

Following The Foocy, the Lantern's twelfth season continues with the poignant and powerful U.S. Premiere of Novecento by Alessandro Baricco (January 27 - February 26, 2006). Closing the season will be the politically charged Shakespearean history, Richard III (March 24 - April 30, 2006). Three play subscriptions for the Lantern's 2005/06 season are now available, beginning as low as $33 for students and seniors. For more information, please call 215.829.9002 or visit www.lanterntheater.org.