The Return of Benjamin Lay

By Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker
Directed by Ron Daniels
Starring Mark Povinelli

“There is no such thing as me or you, only and always ‘us.’”

Quantum Theatre invites you to the American premiere of The Return of Benjamin Lay, the story of a radical abolitionist written by esteemed playwright Naomi Wallace and the University of Pittsburgh’s award-winning historian Marcus Rediker.

In the newly renovated Braddock Carnegie Library, Benjamin Lay asks us to listen rather than hear, to see rather than look. Told through the talents of acclaimed director Ron Daniels and actor Mark Povinelli, the play brings to light the true story of a fiery revolutionary fighting the injustice of slavery.

His ‘radical’ ideas and unconditional, unrelenting calls for emancipation ultimately cost Benjamin Lay a place in the Quaker community he loved. But he did not lower his voice. He was a towering example of strength, a man willing to speak and hoping to be heard, a fierce man who stood only four-feet tall.

Now Benjamin Lay has returned to ask us, in the position once occupied by his Quaker brethren: what does freedom mean to you? When injustice knocks at your door, will you look away or stand tall and fight?

Learn more about the show: A note from Karla Boos, Artistic Director

SHOWTIMES

January 31 – February 23, 2025
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 8pm
Saturday and Sunday | 2pm

Staged at the Braddock Carnegie Library

This performance has passed.

Meet the Extraordinary Creative Team

We are so proud to bring the American premiere to the Quantum audience, “an audience with the taste, desire for adventure, and highly developed sense of justice to bring The Return of Benjamin Lay to life on American soil. Return he will, to his Pennsylvania Quaker roots, and I hope we will take courage from his example.”

Karla Boos, Artistic Director

Naomi Wallace, playwright

An esteemed American playwright, screenwriter, and poet, Wallace is considered, “the most politically engaged playwright of her generation.” (Variety)

Marcus Rediker, historian and playwright

Marcus Rediker is a distinguished American historian, writer, and social activist currently sharing his exceptional talents as a Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History of the Department of History at the University of Pittsburgh. Rediker is a two-time winner of the Merle Curti Award and was honored with the George Washington Book Prize, one of the largest book awards in the United States. During his substantial career, he was also recognized with the John Hope Franklin Publication Prize, International Labor History Book Prize from the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University as well as fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Council of Learned Societies, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

Ron Daniels, director

A renowned theater and opera director, Ron Daniels is a pillar of British theatre. A native of Brazil, he began his career as an actor and a founding member of the Teatro Oficina in Sao Paulo before moving to the United Kingdom to join the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Mark Povinelli, actor and social activist

American stage, television, and film actor Mark Povinelli’s career demonstrates his remarkable versatility. Noted as a brilliant artist of superb acting, from slapstick comedy to heartfelt drama, from broad caricature to quiet realism, Povenelli’s performances are full of subtlety, intelligence, charisma, and humanity.