On May 1, Pennsylvania history comes to life in a new play at Quintessence Theatre Group in “The Return of Benjamin Lay” by playwright, screenwriter and poet Naomi Wallace and University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History, Marcus Rediker. Presented as a co-production by Quintessence and New York’s Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company, the one-man play starring stage and screen actor Mark Povinelli is inspired by the true story of an 18th-century Quaker man, born a dwarf in Copford, England who emigrated to America and settled in Abington, Pennsylvania. Lay lived his life as an activist revolutionary who fought and advocated for the abolition of slavery in Colonial America.
Directed by Ron Daniels, The Return of Benjamin Lay runs from May 1 to 18, with 15 performances on stage at Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick.
It’s 2025. In the silence of a Quaker meeting house, Benjamin Lay (Mark Povinelli) – a shepherd, sailor, radical, and the British Empire’s first abolitionist – returns from the grave almost 300 years after his death, as feisty and unpredictable as ever. The four-foot “David” confronts the “Goliath” of slavery as he demands once again to be readmitted into the Quaker community that disowned him for ideas considered dangerous and disruptive.
The play was first performed at the Finborough Theatre in London in 2023, produced by Arsalan Sattari Productions.
Philadelphia is a city steeped in history, and some know stories of the local little person who put on anti-slavery protest theater on the streets of colonial Philadelphia by covering himself in blood. Quintessence is honored to welcome Mark Povinelli and The Return of Benjamin Lay to share the extraordinary life of one of America’s first activists and change makers, a Philadelphian who risked all by standing in opposition to the leaders of his country and his Quaker faith to insist upon life and liberty for all.” – Quintessence’s Producing Artistic Director Alex Burns
The co-production is directed by Ron Daniels, who has directed productions at numerous theatre companies across the U.S., including the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge (where he formerly served as the Associate Artistic Director), the Public Theatre in New York City, and the Old Globe in San Diego.
TICKETING INFORMATION
The Return of Benjamin Lay runs from May 1 to 18, and opens on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. All performances take place at the historic Sedgwick Theater (7137 Germantown Avenue), a flexible black box theater. The play has a 70-minute runtime with no intermission and is recommended for audiences ages 10 or older.
General Admission tickets start at $50, with Premium seats available starting at $60. Ticket link: Quintessence Theatre Group
Public and street parking is available throughout the Mt. Airy neighborhood.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING
Two Post-Show Convos: Thursday, May 1, after the 7 p.m. performance and Sunday, May 4, after the 3 p.m. performance – The Return of Benjamin Lay co-playwright and award-winning historian Marcus Rediker and actor Mark Povinelli join the audience for a post-show conversation.
Opening Night and Book Signing: Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. – Co-playwright and author Marcus Rediker will be present to sign copies of his book The Fearless Benjamin Lay – The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist; ($22) and the graphic novel, Prophet Against Slavery, illustrated by David Lester with Marcus Rediker and Paul Buhle ($16). Quintessence supports independent booksellers and is in partnership with 50 Watts Bookstore of Chestnut Hill.
Meet-the-Artist: Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. – Stay after the performance for a discussion with the star of The Return of Benjamin Lay, and enjoy the conversation and Q&A moderated by Quintessence Director of Education, Adam Pelta-Pauls.
Pay-as-Led Night: Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. – In Friends tradition, Pay-as-Led is a way of acknowledging that wealth is not distributed evenly among Quakers. You may determine your own ticket price for this performance.
LPA Meet-the-Artist: Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. – Stay after to meet the star of the show, Mark Povinelli. This evening celebrates Mark and Little People of America (LPA). Everyone is welcome!