Anthony Lawton Reinterprets THE GREAT DIVORCE 6/22 At PA Shakespeare Fest

An imaginative parable transforms into theatrical magic in The Great Divorce at The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for one night only, Monday, June 22 at 7:30pm on the Main Stage.

Adapted and performed by Anthony Lawton, The Great Divorce is based on the novel by C.S. Lewis (who is perhaps best known for The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters).

"As a member of The Acting Company for over ten years at PSF, Tony's work has impressed me and our audiences," says Patrick Mulcahy, producing artistic director, who directed Lawton in The Winter's Tale in 2007 and The Tempest in 1999. "I had heard about Tony's work on this show from a number of Philadelphia artists in our company, and then I got to see a recording of it, which was terrific. And after so many of our audience members shared their excitement in seeing a one man show last year (Dracula), it seemed a perfect offering to enrich our season."

Lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer in this "masterful solo show," Lawton delivers "a wondrous ride filled with dazzling insight and language." The Great Divorce is an allegorical journey between Hell and Heaven, a journey that blends philosophical imagination and theatrical magic. The Philadelphia City Paper wrote: "Unmissable! From the quiet, seemingly casual beginning to the unforgettable final moments, Lawton has us in the palm of his hand."

Tickets are $25 and are available by calling the PSF Box Office at 610-282-WILL [9455].

Biography: Anthony Lawton returns for his fifth season at PSF, where he will play the role of Domitius Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra. Last season at PSF he performed as Feste in Twelfth Night. Other solo shows include The Devil and Billy Markham and The Screwtape Letters. He appeared in M. Night Shyamalan's film, Unbreakable. His first original play, The Foocy, garnered five Barrymore nominations, including Best New Play.

The 2009 Festival also features The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (on stage through June 28), the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 (June 17 - July 5 on the Main Stage), Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (July 8-August 2 in the Schubert), Antony and Cleopatra (July 15-August 2, on the Main Stage) and Cinderella (through August 1, in the Schubert Theatre). A new performance experience, Shakespeare for Kids, runs on the Main Stage July 22-August 1 at 10am.

The free outdoor Green Show completes the season's offerings and is performed one hour prior to each evening performance.

Other than The Great Divorce, which is $25, single ticket prices range from $25 to $52. Discounts are available for subscribers, seniors, students, and groups. Season tickets are still available and offer patrons the greatest discounts and flexibility. Tickets can be ordered by calling 610-282 WILL or online at www.pashakespeare.org <http://www.pashakespeare.org> .

Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Szarko are the 2009 Season Sponsors. Associate Season Sponsors are the Harry C. Trexler Trust, The Morning Call and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. Director Sponsors are Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University is the Official Shakespeare Festival of The Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations. PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.

For ticket information, contact PSF at 610-282-WILL or online at www.pashakespeare.org.

 

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