PHILADELPHIA – Lantern Theater Company will celebrate its 20th Anniversary Season and honor Leonard C. Haas with the 2014 Luminary Award at its Annual Benefit on Friday, March 21, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Veni Vidi Party will be held at the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, located in the iconic Lafayette Building at 5th & Chestnut Streets in Center City. The event begins with a wine reception and will include live entertainment, dinner and a silent auction. Auction items feature exclusive vacations, fun nights out at the region’s finest restaurants and cultural hotspots, sports tickets and memorabilia, priceless collectibles and other unique items. All proceeds will benefit the Lantern’s award-winning artistic and education programming, which reaches over 18,000 adults and children each year. Ticket prices range from $150 – $1,000 and are now on sale at lanterntheater.org or by calling (215) 829-9002 x102.
Luminary Award Honoree Leonard C. Haas, a resident of Center City, has graced the Lantern stage as Lord Capulet in Romeo & Juliet (2012), Victor Prynne in Private Lives (2011) and Kemp in Vigil (2011). He has performed all across the Philadelphia region, including over 30 productions at People’s Light & Theatre where he has been a member of their resident company of artists since 1988. Additional credits include a tour of Bristol Riverside Theatre’s The Little Prince at the New Victory Theater (Off-Broadway), two independent films (Lebanon, PA and cellar) and a Barrymore Award for his performance as Henry in The Fantasticks at People’s Light.
In addition to working as an actor, Leonard is also a noted philanthropist and supporter of the Philadelphia arts community. He serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Philadelphia and FringeArts, and as Board Chair of PlayPenn. He also serves as a Board Member for the William Penn Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation, both of which provide critical support for the Lantern’s artistic and education programming, including the company’s New Play Development Initiative. He is married to actress Mary Lee Bednarek.
Veni Vidi Party is co-chaired by Lantern Board Member Gregory J. Kleiber and his wife Harriet Ravdin of Narberth and Lantern Board Member Gene Bissell and his wife Joann Bissell of Gladwyne.
Lantern Theater Company is committed to an authentic and intimate exploration of the human spirit in its choice of classics, modern and original works. The company seeks to be a vibrant, contributing member of the Greater Philadelphia community, exposing audiences to great theater, inviting participation in dialogue and discussion, educating audience members about artistic and social issues, and employing theatrical language and techniques to enrich learning in the classroom. Each year, the Lantern reaches a loyal and growing audience of more than 18,000 through three award-winning programs: Mainstage Productions that are smart, fun, engaging and connected to our modern world; Lantern Theater Company: In Conversation, its audience engagement series that offers an insider’s look at each production; and Illumination, its innovative education program that engages over 2,000 local students in the world of theater each year, nurturing their artistic expression through in-school residencies, matinee performances and teaching artist training for after-school programs.
Philadelphia Weekly named the Lantern “Best Theater Company” in 2008, describing the company’s selection of plays as “impressively diverse in genre and style.” Since the inception of the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre in 1995, the Lantern has received 73 nominations and 15 awards, including the 2009 Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award. Founded in 1994 by Charles McMahon and Michael Brophy, the Lantern has been in residence at St. Stephen’s Theater at 10th & Ludlow Streets in Center City Philadelphia since 1996, managing the performance space and developing it into an affordable multi-purpose performing arts venue.
BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
Gene* & Joann Bissell
Gregory J. Kleiber* & Harriet Ravdin
BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Eileen Baird
Michael K. Brophy*
Nicholas D. Constan*
Mark & Tobey Dichter
Nancy Hogan Dutton
Stacy Maria Dutton*
Jim & Kay Gately
David & Linda Glickstein
Emilio & Carole Gravagno
Leonard & Mary Lee Haas
Philip Hawkins & Ronnie Kurchner-Hawkins
Donna Hill & John Wilson
Alan R. & Nancy J. Hirsig
Betsy Kalish*
Kevin* & Sarah Kleinschmidt
Joe Kluger & Susan Lewis
Tom Lussenhop
Charles McMahon*
Charles & Helen McMahon
Donna Saul Millen* & Stephen Millen
David Pierson* & Barrie Trimingham
Jennifer Pratt Johnson & Fred Johnson
Ellen Rosen Rogoff*
Michael* & Nina Rosenthal
Anne Shuff* & Mike Creech
Richard Vague
Rebecca* & Rhys Williams
*Lantern Board Member
Veni Vidi Party
Lantern Theater Company’s 20th Anniversary Benefit
Event Location:
Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
5th & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Event Date:
Friday, March 21, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tickets:
Visit lanterntheater.org or call (215) 829-9002 x102
$1,000 Emperor’s Ticket
$500 Senator’s Ticket
$250 Patrician’s Ticket
$150 Citizen’s Ticket
Press:
Press planning coverage of the event may make reservations for Veni Vidi Party by contacting Jennifer Pratt Johnson, Marketing & Development Director, at jpjohnson [at] lanterntheater [dot] org (jpjohnson [at] lanterntheater [dot] org) or (215) 829-9002 x102. Reservations are due by Friday, March 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Capacity is limited to 200.
Event photos will be available on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.
2013/14 Season
Lantern Theater Company will continue its 20th Anniversary Season with the Philadelphia Premiere of Athol Fugard’s new play The Train Driver, directed by Matt Pfeiffer and starring Peter DeLaurier and 2013 Luminary Award-winner Frank X (April 10 – May 4, 2014); and Anthony Lawton and Kim Carson in Lawton’s adaptation of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (May 27 – June 15, 2014).
