Quintessence Theatre Group to Stage SAINT JOAN & DOCTOR FAUSTUS in Rep

Quintessence concludes its sixth season of progressive classic theatre with the Devil and Saints Repertory: Shaw's SAINT JOAN presented in rotating repertory with Christopher Marlowe's DOCTOR FAUSTUS. An eleven actor repertory ensemble, comprised of Quintessence's best and lead by directors Rebecca Wright and Alexander Burns, will bring to life Shaw and Marlowe's masterworks and continue to establish Quintessence's brand of epic classic theatre for 21st century Philadelphians. SAINT JOAN begins previews on Wednesday, March 16 at 7pm and opens on Saturday, March 19 at 8pm. DOCTOR FAUSTUS begins previews on Wednesday, March 30 at 7pm and opens on Saturday, April 2 at 8pm. All performances are at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 215.987.4450.

SAINT JOAN

March 16 - April 22, 2016. Opening Night: March 19, 2016

Inspired by the voice of angels, a French peasant girl defies society, her church and her king as she leads her country's army to victory over the invading English forces. Are Joan's angels real, or is her fearless heroism and ability to lead an innate greatness which transcends class, gender and physical strength? Can the men in Joan's world accept and celebrate such a powerful and enigmatic woman, or must they destroy what they cannot understand and control? Shaw's masterpiece challenges all preceding artistic representations of the Saint Joan story to create one of the greatest heroines in the history of drama.

Following last season's celebrated production of Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Rebecca Wright returns to Quintessence to direct Shaw's Saint Joan. Leigha Kato, who stunned audiences with her portrayal of Myrrah in the Arden Theater's Metamorphoses earlier this season, makes her Quintessence debut as Joan. Andrew Betz (the Cheshire Cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Celia in As You Like It) will play the Dauphin. Andrew delighted audiences with a different Dauphin in Quintessence's Henry V. The creative team includes costume designer Nikki Delhomme, sound designer Adriano Shaplin, and lighting designer Brian Sidney Bembridge.

DOCTOR FAUSTUS

March 30 - April 24, 2016. Opening Night: April 2, 2016

Doctor John Faustus is Germany's preeminent scholar in philosophy, medicine, law and ?theology, and yet, he is unsatisfied with the scope of his knowledge and the power it gives him. Calling on Lucifer, Faustus sells his soul to the devil for the power of black magic, 24 years of unlimited knowledge, and to have Lucifer's minion Mephistopheles as his own. In this dark comedy, Marlowe's mighty verse takes Faustus on an epic adventure through space and time to test the limits of the human mind that knows all, but lacks a soul.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream to direct Christopher Marlowe, Artistic Director Alexander Burns will lead Quintessence favorites Gregory Isaac as Doctor John Faustus?, Sean Close as his trusty servant Wagner, and Josh Carpenter as the diabolical Mephistopheles. The creative team includes costume designer Jane Casanave, puppet designers Martina Plag and Chris Coyote, and lighting designer Brian Sidney Bembridge.

QUINTESSENCE: A CLASSIC REPERTORY ENSEMBLE FOR PHILADELPHIA

Quintessence Theatre Group is a professional classic theatre, dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of classic literature and drama for the contemporary stage, igniting the mind, body and soul through the power of the actor, design and spoken word. Quintessence was named 2015 Best Theater Company, Up-and-Coming, by Philadelphia Magazine. Now in its sixth season, Quintessence continues to work towards the establishment of an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt Airy, Philadelphia.

SAINT JOAN plays March 16 - April 22. A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will be presented on Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00pm. Post-show talkbacks with the cast and director will take place on Sunday, April 3 and Thursday, April 14. DOCTOR FAUSTUS plays March 30 - April 24. A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will be presented on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Post-show talkbacks with the cast and director will take place on Thursday, April 21 and Sunday, April 10.

On Saturday, April 9 and April 16 there will be special 2pm matinees so that both productions can be experienced in one day. Please check the repertory performance schedule at www.QuintessenceTheatre.org for exact performance times and dates.

Tickets are $34 - $27 general admission, $25 for seniors (65 and over) $15 for student and youth (21 and under). Group discounts and weekday student matinees are available. To purchase tickets or subscriptions, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.215.987.4450. For ticket information please email BoxOffice@QuintessenceTheatre.org.

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