Lantern Theater Company Extends New Jerusalem

Due to high demand, Lantern Theater Company announces a one-week extension for the Philadelphia premiere of New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656 by award-winning playwright David Ives. New Jerusalem has earned the largest pre-sale in the Lantern's 18-year history. With 8 performances already sold out and 75% of all seats sold prior to opening night, the play will now run through November 6. The following performances have been added:

Wednesday, November 2 at 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m.

As the Inquisition bears down on them, a small Jewish community flees Portugal to find a tenuous peace in seemingly liberal Amsterdam. But Spinoza, a favorite son of the community and the rabbi's heir apparent, is a revolutionary thinker. When the boldness of his ideas strains the bounds of Amsterdam's professed tolerance, it leads to a dangerous confrontation between powerful political forces and his own beloved community. Well-liked, and considered to be a brilliant religious student, Spinoza is accused of atheism for his radical new ideas and risks excommunication from the Jewish faith, including complete social isolation.

Directed by the Lantern's Artistic Director Charles McMahon, New Jerusalem runs October 6 - November 6, 2011. Tickets are $20 - $36 and are available online at lanterntheater.org or by calling the Lantern Box Office at (215) 829-0395. $10 student rush tickets are available 10 minutes before curtain with valid ID; cash only. Additional discounts are available for seniors and groups of 10 or more. Lantern Theater Company is located at St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow Streets in Center City Philadelphia.

New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656
Philadelphia Premiere
By David Ives
Directed by Charles McMahon

Now through November 6, 2011

Cast (in alphabetical order)
David Bardeen as Rabbi Saul Levi Mortera
David Blatt as Gaspar Rodrigues Ben Israel
Jake Blouch as Simon de Vries
Sam Henderson as Baruch de Spinoza
Seth Reichgott as Abraham van Valkenburgh
Kittson O'Neill as Rebekah de Spinoza
Mary Tuomanen as Clara van den Enden

Production Team
Meghan Jones, Production Manager & Properties Master
Nick Embree, Scenic Designer
Maggie Baker, Costume Designer
Shon Causer, Lighting Designer
Nick Rye, Sound Designer
M. Craig Getting, Assistant Director
Rebecca Smith, Stage Manager

Fall Philosophy Festival: Theater and the Age of Reason
Presented in conjunction with New Jerusalem, the Fall Philosophy Festival will explore the Sephardic Jewish experience in Europe and Spinoza's lasting influence on art, literature, and philosophy with special guests Jonathan Israel, Bruce Graham, Vince Regan, Jordan Barnett, and M. Craig Getting. Events take place Friday - Sunday, October 21 - 23, 2011. More information and a complete schedule are available online.

2011/12 Season
Lantern Theater Company will continue its 2011/12 season with Private Lives by Noel Coward, directed by Kathryn MacMillan (December 8 - 31, 2011); The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, adapted and performed by Anthony Lawton (February 7 - 12, 2012); William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directed by Charles McMahon (March 1 - April 1, 2012); and The Island, written by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona, and directed by Peter DeLaurier (May 17 - June 10, 2012).

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