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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room is now Barrymore Recommended & extending (again!) due to demand! Woo-hoo, and thank you Philly!! www.quintessencetheatre.org

quintessencetheatre.org

Quintessence Theatre Group

Building a classical repertory theatre in Philadelphia. Classical theatre for the contemporary stage.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Word is out – Mark Povinelli as Benjamin Lay “plays the radical activist with verve and vigor!” And we’ve only got a few tickets left — most remaining shows have already sold out! Don’t sleep on this one, folks!

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

“[Mark] Povinelli balances Lay’s unapologetic radicalism with earnestness and levity; at times breaking the fourth wall like a stand-up comedian and prompting responses from the audience.” From your mouth to God’s ears, @inquirer.com! 📜 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Take a look at this crew!! 🥰 Our friends, @broadwaybekahchica.bsky.social and @shamrockenroll on IG, joined us Friday night for another fantastic performance by @markpovinelli.bsky.social in The Return of Benjamin Lay.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Friends, could we be blushing any harder?! The Chestnut Hill Local’s Hugh Hunter wrote a stunning review of The Return of Benjamin Lay, now on stage. Read the full review now: chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/the-return-of-benjamin-lay-is-a-fiery-call-to-conscience,36682

chestnuthilllocal.com

‘The Return of Benjamin Lay’ is a fiery call to conscience - The Chestnut Hill Local

"The Return of Benjamin Lay,” now running at Quintessence Theatre Group’s Sedgwick Theater, feels more like an event than a play.

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Our actor Mark Povinelli in Benjamin Lay’s cave in Abington, PA where the radical abolitionist lived for years. Join us for our play, *The Return of Benjamin Lay*, at @quintessencephl.bsky.social through May 18. www.quintessencetheatre.org/thereturnofb...

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

We are here for this standing O!! 👏 Our strictly limited run of The Return of Benjamin Lay continues through Sunday, May 18 – and tickets are going fast. Don’t miss this, Philly!

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Honestly, we haven’t stopped smiling since reading Alix Rosenfeld’s review of The Return of Benjamin Lay for Broad Street Review! Read Alix’s full review of Mark Povinelli’s award-winning performance now: www.broadstreetreview.com/reviews/quin...

broadstreetreview.com

Quintessence Theater Group and Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company…

Quintessence brings the story of a revolutionary Quaker activist back to Philadelphia with a powerful production of The Return of Benjamin Lay ,…

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

We 100% stan artist and activist @quakerpirate.bsky.social. His gorg print honoring Benjamin Lay's radical empathy can be seen IRL before or after a performance of The Return of Benjamin Lay in our companion art exhibition. Don't miss it!

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

We had a wildly enthusiastic opening of *The Return of Benjamin Lay* last night at the @quintessencephl.bsky.social in Philadelphia, after which the audience cheered Mark Povinelli and did not want him to leave the stage! The play runs through May 18. www.quintessencetheatre.org/thereturnofb...

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

I am thrilled to say that our very own Mark Povinelli has been nominated for a prestigious New York Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Solo Performance" in *The Return of Benjamin Lay*. Congratulations, Mark! The play continues at @quintessencephl.bsky.social in Philadelphia through May 18. Join us!

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

First performance is HERE! Don't be left out. Check out our opening weekend schedule of shows, book signings, and free events below for The Return of Benjamin Lay: 📆 Thurs, May 1– 7pm 📆 Fri, May 2– 7:30pm 📆 Sat, May 3– 2pm 📆 Sat, May 3– 7:30pm 📆 Sun, May 4– 3pm 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

It is entirely appropriate that on this Mayday our play, *The Return of Benjamin Lay*, should have its first public performance at the @quintessencephl.bsky.social in Philadelphia! Here through May 18; join us! And have a happy international workers’ day! www.quintessencetheatre.org/thereturnofb...

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Why not get a jump start on our semiquincentennial with The Return of Benjamin Lay!? Celebrate Philly's history with a story almost no one knows. Our strictly limited run begins TOMORROW to May 18. Secure your tickets before they run out! Tap here: quintessencetheatre.org/thereturnofbenjaminlay

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Hot off the presses! @phillyvoice.com's Kristin Hunt sat down with our leading man, @markpovinelli.bsky.social, to share his take one of our very local heroes – you may have never heard of – Benjamin Lay. Read the full story: www.phillyvoice.com/return-of-be...

phillyvoice.com

Play about a confrontational Quaker abolitionist in Philly in the 1700s is a show 'for the moment'

Benjamin Lay inspired his congregation to turn against slavery. His story is coming to Quintessence Theatre in May.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Philly is all about history, but The Return of Benjamin Lay isn't just for history buffs. 🙅‍♀️ We're Ben fans because he fought injustice, went up against the powers, and ignored all the doubters. Sound like Philly? 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Here is another preview of our play, *The Return of Benjamin Lay*, which will be staged at the @quintessencephl.bsky.social May 1-18. Please join us and help spread the word to people in and around Philadelphia! billypenn.com/2025/04/24/s...

billypenn.com

‘The Return of Benjamin Lay’ gives big props to one of history’s Little People

The Sedgwick Theater’s new production tackles dwarfism and Quakers’ uncomfortable connection to slavery in the 19th century.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

"Are you... willing to go to jail for conscience?" –The Return of Benjamin Lay 🎟️ Performances: May 1 to May 18 📸: Robert Boulton

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

The Return of Benjamin Lays stars veteran of the stage and screen, Mark Povinelli. For 70 straight minutes, Mark commands the stage as Benjamin Lay, transporting the audience to his 1700s world. 📸: Robert Boulton

Mark Povinelli stands in between two wooden chairs, holding a white kite falling to the floor. He embodies Benjamin Lay.

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Here is our first preview for the opening of *The Return of Benjamin Lay* at Quintessence Theatre (@quintessencephl.bsky.social) in Philadelphia May 1 — a play “for the moment! www.phillyvoice.com/return-of-be...

phillyvoice.com

Play about a confrontational Quaker abolitionist in Philly in the 1700s is a show 'for the moment'

Benjamin Lay inspired his congregation to turn against slavery. His story is coming to Quintessence Theatre in May.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Eager to learn more about our protagonist before you see The Return of Benjamin Lay on our stage? We support local indie booksellers! 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

Mark Povinelli is dressed in a white crisp button down and black slacks, as Benjamin Lay. He holds onto a ladder and stands on the ladder a few feet above the ground.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Who was Benjamin Lay, you ask? He was a 4ft “David” who confronted the “Goliath” of slavery – years before mainstream abolitionists arrived on the historic scene. 📖 📸: Robert Boulton

Mark Povinelli is seen dressed in normal clothes, playing Benjamin Lay in a rehearsal. He lays on the ground with his back against a brown table.

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Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick @quintessencephl.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

2025. In the silence of a Quaker meeting house, Benjamin Lay – shepherd, sailor, revolutionary, and the British Empire's first revolutionary abolitionist – returns from the grave almost 300 years after his death, as feisty and unpredictable as ever. 📜 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

Mark Povinelli is dressed as Benjamin Lay, wearing a white collared shirt with a dark jacket. We see the stage washed in a red, with a large shadow behind Mark’s body.

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The Return of Benjamin Lay @benlayplay.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Our journey in NYC has officially ended, but the story doesn’t stop there! 🎭 Don’t miss the next iteration of THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY starring Mark Povinelli, playing @quintessencephl.bsky.social in Philadelphia, PA from May 1 to May 18. 📸: @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social

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