Long Island Oldest Theatre to present first Musical

LongIsland.com

The Lantern Theatre Company is the oldest community theater on Long Island and are thrilled to be producing their first musical in their 56+ year history, William Finn's "Falsettos".

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Long Island's oldest community theatre The Lantern Theatre Co. will proudly present their first musical in their over-56-year history: "Falsettos"
Freeport, NY - March 3 - 25 - Falsettos is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a non-traditional family striving to survive against all odds. Set during the post-sexual, pre-Reagan revolution of 1979, and the horror of the emerging AIDS epidemic of 1981, Falsettos tells the story of a Jewish, suburban, middle-class family comprised of two men, one woman, one child, their therapist, as well as a couple of lesbians who live next-door. As they cope with their own dysfunction, personal flaws, and the slings and arrows of the world around them, they somehow find that they can hold themselves to the ground, as long as they can hold on to each other. Falsettos is a musical with a book by James Lapine and William Finn and music and lyrics by Finn. The musical consists of March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, the last two in a trio of one-act Off-Broadway plays (the first was In Trousers). The musical premiered on Broadway in 1992.

The Lantern Theatre's first show opened in 1956 with Anton Chekov's A Marriage Proposal. Since then, Lantern has produced over 200 plays in its over-56-year history. Falsettos will be Lantern's first musical production.

The show will be directed by Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson. Rick is a director, writer, producer and educator from Baldwin, New York, and president of the production company Off Sides Entertainment, Inc. A major goal of this production is to raise awareness and support for local GLBT issues, which is why Lantern is currently seeking to use Falsettos not only an artistic venture, but also as fundraising opportunity for local GLBT associations. On March 15, Rick will also presenting a history of GLBT theatre at the Long Island GLBT conference, titled Stages of Shattering Silence: Theatre, Plays, and Musicals Advancing GLBT Visibility (featuring a sneak peak at Lantern's production of Falsettos.) The annual Long Island GLBT Conference is Long Island's only GLBT-specific conference that seeks to educate and empower students, educators, health and human service providers, and other members of the community to address the needs of GLBT people throughout the lifespan in their schools and communities. More information on the conference can be found at: www.ligaly.org

The play features a local cast from surrounding Long Island as well as three performers from New York City. The role of Marvin will be played by Ezra Hernandez (NYC), Marvin's wife Trina will be played by Tanya Wills (NYC) and their therapist, Mendel, will be played by Daniel Pivovar (NYC). Marvin's lover Whizzer will be played by Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson (Baldwin), and the lesbians from next-door Dr. Charlotte and Cordelia will be portrayed by Lisa Berman (Roslyn Heights) and Mary Palermo (Island Park), respectively. The role of Jason, the troubled 12-year-old on the verge of his Bar Mitzvah, will be double cast between Matthew Leigh (Merrick) & Daniel Singh (Mineola).

"In a year when presidential candidates are coming out swinging against GLBT rights and families, Falsettos reminds us of an earlier period in our history when gays and lesbians were just starting to emerge out of their shadowed closets and make a public presence in American society. It's a reminder of how far we've come as a country, as well as how far we need to go... it also reminds us that underneath our beliefs, our religions, and our sexuality, we're all just people."
- A.D./Whizzer - Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson

The Lantern Theatre Co. proudly presents Falsettos Music/Lyrics by William Finn Book by James Lapine
Directed & Music Directed by Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson starring Lisa Berman, Ezra Hernandez, Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson,
Matthew Leigh, Mary Palermo, Daniel Pivovar, Daniel Singh, & Tanya Wills - Produced by Ann Bass - Assistant Director: Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson - Assistant Music Director: Karen Yelaney - Stage Manager: Alicia Parendo - Set Design by: Kathy Becker, Gary Frey, & Janet Mass - Lighting Design by Bernie Genzer - This production is made possible, in part, by a grant from The Huntington Arts Council. - Produced by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH. Being performed at: The Temple B'Nai Israel, 91 North Bayview Avenue, North Freeport, NY 11520 - Saturdays March 3, 10, & 17 at 8pm - Sundays March 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 1:30pm Tickets available through www.theatermania.com or you can also reserve your tickets by calling 516-221-4485 - Admission: $22 (Senior/Student Saturday Special: $20) www.lantertheatreli.com / www.offsides.org

CONTACT: Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson (Assitant Director) 1497 Kenneth Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510 USA 516-462-0037 / 516-379-1198

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