Philadelphia Premiere
By Robert Bolt
Directed by Peter DeLaurier

When Henry VIII puts aside Queen Catherine, he fears opposition from Sir Thomas More, his own Lord Chancellor, even more than from the Pope. A man of principle and politics, More tries to thread a vanishingly small needle to uphold his principles and to keep his head. Robert Bolt's searing drama forces us to confront what we too might bear – or not – to keep clear our conscience.

Jake Blouch as King Henry VIII / William Roper / Chapuys' Attendant  •  Benjamin Brown as Duke of Norfolk  •  Scott Greer as The Common Man  •  Morgan Char ce Hall as Lady Margaret More  •  Paul Harrold as Richard Rich  •  Gregory Isaac as Cardinal Wolsey / Eustace Chapuys / Thomas Cranmer  •  Anthony Lawton as Thomas Cromwell  •  Mary Elizabeth Scallen as Lady Alice More / A Woman  •  Frank X as Sir Thomas More

James F. Pyne, Jr., Scenic Designer  •  Kelly Myers, Costume Designer  •  Lily Fossner, Lighting Designer  •  Christopher Colucci, Sound Designer & Original Music  •  Peter Schmitz, Dialect Coach  •  Rebecca Smith, Stage Manager  •  M. Craig Getting, Associate Director  •  Leah Brockman, Assistant Director

"What a brave return to live theater this production is! Lantern Theater Company gives us old-time drama and powerful theater, full of big ideas and complex language, rather than a bit of fluff to amuse or console us. With a top-notch cast and clever direction by Peter DeLaurier, it's a heady three hours." –Toby Zinman, Phindie  more

"A new live beginning at Philly's Lantern Theater! Lantern's cast is impressive... Peter DeLaurier's sturdy, often gripping production has an old-fashioned feel." –Julia Klein, The Philadelphia Inquirer  more

"Riveting... Frank X gives a magnificent performance as Sir Thomas More. Wry, philosophical, weary yet optimistic, X's More is easily worth the price of admission. I could not take my eyes off his performance in a highly demanding role that requires a light touch with comedy but a commanding force with moral soliloquies." –Josh Herren, Broad Street Review  more