InterAct Theatre Company is pleased to announce the several special events to conincide with its World Premiere production of THE RANT, Andrew Case's thought-provoking new drama exploring the link between inner-city crime and personal bias, including post-show discussions featuring city officials and candidates for judicial offices as guest speakers, the world premiere performance of a new drama based on interviews with those affected by and convicted for violent crimes & a ticket discount collaboration with three other cultural organizations presenting events exploring the African American influence on today's world.

POST SHOW-DISCUSSIONS

During THE RANT, InterAct will host several post-performance talk-backs to encourage further discussion on the issues addressed in the play. The line-up of guest speakers currently includes:

Sunday, February 8 (Immediately following the 2:00 p.m. performance)
Guest Speaker: Kelvyn Anderson, Deputy Director of Philadelphia's Police Advisory Commission
Kelvyn Anderson is a former investigative reporter for newspapers & magazines, Kelvyn Anderson worked as a private investigator for attorneys & insurance companies before joining Philadelphia's Police Advisory Commission as a Special Investigator in 2000. He became Deputy Director of the Commission in 2004, and is a former member of the Board of Directors of NACOLE, the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

Tuesday, February 10 (Immediately following the 7:00 p.m. performance)
Guest Speaker: Seth Williams, Candidate for District Attorney of Philadelphia
A candidate for District Attorney for the City of Philadelphia, Seth Williams is a Philadelphia native that graduated from Central High School in 1985 and Georgetown University in 1992, and now serves as counsel at the Center City law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young. Previously, Mr. Williams spent 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney for the City of Philadelphia, during which time he was appointed as the Assistant Chief of the Municipal Court and also created and led the Repeat Offenders Unit. Until 2008, Mr. Williams served as Inspector General of the City of Philadelphia, where he was responsible for the investigation of all allegations of corruption, fraud, waste, abuse and employee misconduct among municipal workers and companies doing business with the city, for which he was praised by Mayor Michael Nutter for his groundbreaking work as the city's municipal corruption watchdog. Currently a resident of West Philadelphia, Mr. Williams is an adjunct professor at Neumann College, an adjunct professor and Advisory Board member at Penn State Abington, and a Major in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Army Reserve.

Wednesday, February 11 (Immediately following the 7:00 p.m. performance)
Guest Speaker: Leon A. King II , Candidate for Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Leon A. King II, Esq., is the former Commissioner of Philadelphia Prison System, a former Deputy City Solicitor for Civil Rights for the City of Philadelphia, and the former Director of Legislation for Councilman Frank Rizzo. Mr. King is currently employed as an adjunct Professor in the Department of Culture and Communication at Drexel University, and is a candidate for election as a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Mr. King is known for the innovative changes he instituted at the Philadelphia Prison, and as an advocate of "Smart Justice." Mr. King is an expert on the Philadelphia Criminal Justice System.

Sunday, February 15 (Immediately following the 2:00 p.m. performance)
Guest Speaker: Andrew Case, Playwright of THE RANT
Andrew Case's plays have been produced across the country, at theatres including Steppenwolf, the 78th Street Theatre Lab, the Salon for the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theatre AUM, and the Fifth Night Series at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. His work has been developed at the Manhattan Theatre Club, the Atlantic Theatre, Primary Stages, and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center. He is a member of the PEN America Center, the New American Writers Group at Primary Stages and a former Manhattan Theatre Club playwriting fellow, and was awarded the Samuel Goldwyn Award for screenwriting while he was an MFA student at UC San Diego. In addition, he served first as an investigator and later as the Director of Communications of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates allegations of misconduct lodged against NYPD officers. He has investigated death in custody cases and served as the chief spokesman of the board.

PREMIERE OF DRAMA ABOUT CRIME IN PHILLY

In conjunction with the mainstage production of THE RANT, InterAct will present the first public performance of CITY OF NUMBERS, a new play addressing inner-city crime in Philadelphia based on interviews with prison inmates, victims' families, and other Philly residents affected by violent crimes. Subtitled "mixtape of a city..." and written by Sean Christopher Lewis, who developed the play during his tenure as emerging-playwright-in-residence at InterAct last season, CITY OF NUMBERS is being presented as a collaboration between InterAct's InterAction education program and The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, funded by a grant from the Violette de Mazia foundation. CITY OF NUMBERS will be presented in preview performances on InterAct's home at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., on Thursday and Friday, February 19 and 20, at 10 p.m., with an opening performance on Saturday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m. The play will then be performed in Spring 2009 at St. Gabriel's Hall and Graterford Prison, where much of the playwright's research, including inmate interviews, were conducted.

"The Mural Arts Program has long felt a common bond with InterAct Theatre Company's mission of social justice," said Mural Arts Program Executive Director Jane Golden. "We are thrilled to collaborate with them on a unique project showing how art can change lives."

All three performances of CITY OF NUMBERS are free and open to the public. No reservations are required. For more information, visit InterAct Theatre Company's website at www.interacttheatre.org or Mural Arts program's website at www.muralarts.org.

About The Play
In the summer of 2008, the City of Philadelphia found itself in the midst of a murder epidemic. Comparable to that of a third world country, Philadelphia's murder rate had become so pervasive that the city was commonly referred to as housing "more bodies than days." Exploring the issue of crime through interviews and narratives, CITY OF NUMBERS introduces us to inmates at Graterford Prison, located just west of Philadelphia. These inmates are men who have been employed to create murals towards the beautification of the city, even as they serve life sentences for murder. Exploring multiple perspectives, CITY OF NUMBERS also presents the voices of victims of violent crimes and their families, as well as Mayor Michael Nutter, hip hop artists, ER doctors and people on the street - all to provide a clearer picture of the city in which we live. Culled entirely from interviews, blog entries, recorded, and documented television, CITY OF NUMBERS is a stunning and shocking portrait of the City of Brotherly Love.

About The Playwright
SEAN CHRISTOPHER LEWIS is the inaugural recipient of the Rosa Parks Award for Social Justice in Playwriting from the Kennedy Center. A former National New Play Network Emerging Playwright in Residence at InterAct Theatre Company in Philadelphia, he has toured his critically-lauded solo shows I WILL MAKE YOU ORPHANS (Uno Festival of Solo Performance, Available Light 01 Festival, Equinox Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Center for Independent Artists, Galapagos Art Space, Hyde Park Theatre, TIXE Arts Center, Bowery Poetry Club) and THE GONE CHAIR (Penn State University's Cultural Conversations Festival, Openstage Harrisburg's Flying Solo Festival, Riverside Theatre). His other plays include MILITANT LANGUAGE (nationally-premiered at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Halcyon Theatre of Chicago, Bang and Clatter in Cleveland and Theater for the New City in NY) and THE APERTURE (Cleveland Public Theatre). Mr. Lewis has been a playwriting fellow at the O'Neill Playwrights Conference and has had his work developed at the PlayPenn New Play Conference, Lark New Play Development Center, Orlando Shakespeare Festival's Harriet Lake Festival of New Work and at the National Center for New Plays at Stanford University. Also a noted actor, he has worked Off-Broadway at the Pearl Theatre, in NYC at La Mama ETC, and regionally with companies like the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and mostly recently in the feature films GOD COUNTRY and BLOOD FANTASY.

About The Mural Arts Program
The Mural Arts Program is the nation's largest mural program. Since 1984, the Mural Arts Program has created nearly 3,000 murals and works of public art, which are now part of Philadelphia's civic landscape and a source of inspiration to the thousands of residents and visitors who encounter them, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the "City of Murals." The Mural Arts Program engages over 100 communities each year in the transformation of neighborhoods through the mural-making process. The Mural Arts Program's award-winning, free art education programs annually serve nearly 2,000 youth at sites throughout the city and at-risk teens through education outreach programs. The Program also serves adult offenders in local prisons and rehabilitation centers, using the restorative power of art to break the cycle of crime and violence in our communities.

TICKET DISCOUNT COLLABORATION
In honor of this February's celebration of Black History Month, the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Lantern Theater Company and InterAct Theatre Company are pleased to announce "Spirit & Song," a joint promotion involving four events/performances that offer various perspectives on the role African Americans play in, and the influence of their heritage on, today's world. With a ticket stub or handout from one of the participating organizations, patrons may receive discounted admission to any of the other three events. The promotion is running now through May 3.

THE EVENTS & DISCOUNTS

National Constitution Center
America I AM: The African American Imprint
America I AM: The African American Imprint celebrates nearly 500 years of African American contributions to our nation. Featuring over 200 artifacts culled from every period of U.S. history, the exhibition presents a historical continuum of pivotal moments in courage, conviction, and creativity that solidifies the undeniable imprint of African Americans across the nation and around the world. An interactive component of the exhibition will allow visitors to leave their own video "imprints," and this collection will grow throughout the life of the exhibition with the potential to become the largest recorded oral history project in U.S. history.
Dates: Running now through May 3, 2009
Discount: SAVE $2 on an adult admission to America I AM: The African American Imprint. Some restrictions apply.*
Regular Ticket Prices: $17.50 for adults, $15.50 for seniors ages 65 and up, and $9 for children ages 4-12.
Contact the National Constitution Center: 215.409.6800 or www.constitutioncenter.org.
* Restrictions: Must present & surrender ticket stub from The Rant, Resurrection, or Sizwe Bansi is Dead at time of America I AM ticket purchase at the box office. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount nor used towards special events or programs. Limit 1 per visitor, per ticket. Offer valid through May 3, 2009.

InterAct Theatre Company
The Rant
Written by Andrew Case
Directed by Seth Rozin
InterAct Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of the new drama, THE RANT, a Law & Order-like journey in which the witnesses of the shooting of a young African American teenager offer varying accounts of the event, leading the mother of the boy to cry racism and the woman investigating possible police misconduct to the fact that "truth" can be surprisingly elusive.
Dates: Running now through February 22, 2009
Discount: SAVE $5 on tickets to The Rant when you mention "Spirit & Song." or use code "RANT5AIA" when purchasing through InterAct's website. Some restrictions apply.*
Regular Ticket Prices: $24 - $28
Contact InterAct Theatre Company: 215.568.8079 or www.interacttheatre.org.
* Restrictions: Discount valid on regularly priced tickets; not applicable to previous purchases and is subject to availability.

Philadelphia Theatre Company
Resurrection
Written by Daniel Beaty
Directed by Oz Scott
Music Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain
Five African-American men ranging in age from 20 to 60 have their lives transformed by the extraordinary mind and spirit of a 10-year-old boy. This joyous new work by Daniel Beaty, an exciting fresh voice in American theatre, examines what it means to be a black man in America today.
Dates: Running now through February 22, 2009
Discount: SAVE $5 on tickets to Resurrection by mentioning "Spirit & Song." Some restrictions apply.*
Regular Ticket Prices: $46 - $59
Contact Philadelphia Theatre Company: 215.985.0420 or www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
* Restrictions: Offer excludes Saturday evenings and may not be combined with other discounts. Subject to availability.

Lantern Theater Company
Sizwe Bansi is Dead
Written by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona
Directed by Peter DeLaurier
From South Africa's most celebrated playwright comes a drama as powerful today as in its first performance 35 years ago. Sizwe Bansi is Dead explores the issues of image and identity under South Africa's oppressive regime. Both soaring and personal, the play's attack on the dehumanizing laws of the apartheid era resonates with surprising humor and uplifting faith in the human spirit.
Dates: Running now through March 1, 2009
Discount: SAVE 15% on ticket purchase to Sizwe Bansi is Dead when mentioning "Spirit & Song".
Regular Ticket Prices: $20 - $35
Contact Lantern Theater Company: 215.829.0395 or www.lanterntheater.org.
* Restrictions: Not valid for Previews or Opening Night; cannot be combined with any other offer.

ABOUT THE RANT
THE RANT is a new drama making its World Premiere during InterAct Theatre Company's continuing 2008/2009 Season. The fascinating and controversial new script is written by New York-based playwright, Andrew Case, who first worked as an investigator and then later as the Director of Communications for the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates allegations of misconduct lodged against New York City police officers. Using his professional expertise, Case has structured THE RANTas a Rashomon-like journey in which the witnesses of the shooting of a young African-American teenager offer varying accounts of the event, leading the mother of the boy to cry racism and the woman investigating possible police misconduct to the fact that "truth" is surprisingly elusive. InterAct's production of THE RANT is one of three "rolling" World Premieres as part of the National New Play Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund, through which the play was produced in October 2008 at New Theatre (Miami, FL) and will be produced in the 2009/2010 Season at New Jersey Repertory Company (Long Branch, NJ).

THE RANT is playing now through February 22, 2009. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. All performances are held on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA. Tickets for individual performances are $24.00 for performances Tuesdays through Thursdays; and $28.00 for performances Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. InterAct offers discounts for senior citizens and full-time students (with valid I.D.). Group rates are available, and students with proper I.D. may purchase Rush Tickets for $10.00 five minutes before curtain (based on availability). eservations or more information can be obtained by calling 215-568-8079, by dropping by the InterAct Theatre Company box office at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, or by visiting InterAct Theatre Company's website at www.interacttheatre.org.

ABOUT INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
Founded in 1988, InterAct is a theatre for today's world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. InterAct's aim is to educate, as well as entertain, its audiences, by producing world-class, thought-provoking productions, and by using theatre as a tool to foster positive social change. Through its artistic and educational programs, InterAct seeks to make a significant contribution to the cultural life of Philadelphia and to the American theatre. To date, InterAct has presented 64 main stage productions, including 25 world premieres, 2 U.S. premieres, and more than 30 Philadelphia premieres. The company has received 37 Barrymore Award nominations and 13 Awards. InterAct's main stage productions have provided work for over 500 local artists.

In addition to the 4-play mainstage season, InterAct Theatre's major programming includes InterAction, an award-winning program of experiential workshops and residencies in area schools that utilize theatre as a tool to illuminate pressing social problems in the community; New Play Development, working closely with playwrights to develop plays that adhere to the company's mission; Writing Aloud, an award-winning series of Monday evening events in which short fiction by the region's best writers is read aloud by professional actors; and the Kaki Marshall Arts and Community Award, an annual fundraising event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the lively arts in Philadelphia.

Due to the nature of live theatre, play selection, performance and casting are subject to change.