A forgotten American hero
“Who was Benjamin Lay?” ask people when they first hear of this new play. The answer is–one of the most important early Americans heroes you’ve never heard of!
Over the past year, Playhouse Creatures has been honored to shine the spotlight on this visionary 18th century abolitionist, Quaker, vegetarian, sailor, farmer, animal-rights advocate, Little Person, writer, and religious dissident. Ben Lay refused to back down, continuing to provoke and confound people with his ideas, which only took root after his death, helping to inspire the abolition movement for generations to come.
A creative collaboration
To many Americans, Benjamin Lay may not be a familiar name. But his story, trapped in the margins of our history, has fascinated a devoted following of people interested in social justice. A few years ago, Obie-award winning playwright Naomi Wallace and distinguished historian Marcus Rediker decided to form a creative collaboration to bring his extraordinary life to the stage.
The story of Benjamin Lay has always intrigued renowned writer and labor historian Marcus Rediker, Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Pittsburgh. Known for his award-winning “histories from below,” including The Slave Ship: A Human History, Outlaws of the Atlantic, Revolution by Fire and The Amistead Rebellion, he is fascinated with the influence of outcasts, human trafficking and maritime trade in the making of our nation.
His book The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist was followed by a graphic novel on Lay called Prophet Against Slavery, created with artist David Lester, but Rediker thought he could go further in bringing this story to life.
Kentucky-born, British-based playwright, poet and screenwriter Wallace is famous for a series of powerful dramas set across different eras, from Restoration England to depression-era America and the contemporary Middle East. These include In the Heart of America, the Obie-award winning One Flea Spare, And I and Silence, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, The Fever Chart, The Breach, Return to Haifa and What Need for Heaven, which focus on the dynamics of power and the ability of ordinary people to transform their lives. She, too, was intrigued by the life of Ben Lay’s fearless advocate for human rights and social change.
Intrigued by the subject matter, Rediker and Wallace decided to create a theatrical narrative of Benjamin Lay’s life. They imagined what would happen if he returned from the grave to speak directly to people about his vision for a better world. Would anyone listen? Could a one-person show bring out the wit, insight and courage of this fearless man, who overcame so many obstacles to speak truth to power? Would his words have any resonance in the 21st century?
The writers’ goal was to create a theatrical narrative for a whole new generation. Rediker believed that Benjamin Lay “helps us to understand what was politically and morally possible in the first half of the 18th century–and what may be possible now.” Wallace hoped that “the play will inspire audiences to be, as Dr. King called it, ‘extremists…for the extension of justice.’” Both believed that his words had the power to reach through the centuries to speak to a contemporary audience.
“With every cup of tea, you sip the life juice of tea-workers in India and sugar-workers in Barbados. You fill the fat, lazy bellies of slave-keepers who enclose and destroy the land, once the common treasury of all. Beware rich men who poison the earth for gain!”
Bringing the Play to Life
As Wallace and Rediker moved forward in the writing process, they soon expanded the collaboration to include two key team members: British director Ron Daniels and American actor Mark Povinelli.
Ron Daniels, an honorary Royal Shakespeare Company associate who had worked with Wallace on several projects, brought insights from a distinguished directing career in Brazil, America and the UK. His productions, from classical works, opera and experimental new plays are noted for their artistry, sensitivity, clarity and power.
Mark Povinelli is an American stage, screen and television actor best known for his work on The Polar Express, Boardwalk Empire and the Mabou Mines production of A Doll’s House. An activist and advocate as well as a performer, he recently served as president for the Little People of America.
The playwrights, Povinelli and Daniels met virtually over many months during Covid to explore the material and do a series of readings, until they finally had a script viable for production.
But what theatre company was best suited to present such challenging work?
From London to Pittsburgh, New York and Philadelphia
Luckily, this play was eagerly taken up by the small-but-mighty Finborough Theatre, one of the most influential “fringe” venues in London. Under the helm of Artistic Director Neil McPherson, this pub theatre has been the site of countless premieres of ground-breaking English-speaking drama from around the globe.
Skillfully produced by Arsalan Sattari-Hicks, The Return of Benjamin Lay had its world premiere in 2023, earning plaudits as “an important groundbreaking play” (Closeup Culture) with “a riveting performance by Mark Povinelli” (Broadway World). The play also won a Best Production Standing Ovation Award from London Pub Theatres.
Visiting London that spring, PCTC Artistic Director Joseph W. Rodriguez had a chance to see this one-man show and was blown away: “PCTC Associate Artistic Director Erica Stevens Abbitt and I saw the Finborough Theatre production of The Return of Benjamin Lay, starring the talented L.A.-based actor Mark Povinelli. Each of us came to the same conclusion. This play needs to be seen in the United States, by an American audience!”
Working in close association with Arsalan Sattari-Hicks, Rodriguez assembled a transatlantic team dedicated to bringing this important work to audiences in the United States. This involved an unusual level of artistic collaboration between countries and companies!
Karla Boos at Pittsburgh’s Quantum Theatre arranged for its American premiere at the Braddock Library in February 2025 as one of Quantum’s hallmark “found space” productions.
Re-designed for performance at the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, the play made its New York debut as a Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company production in March 2025. It then travelled to Philadelphia for a production at the Quintessence Theatre, helmed by Erika Ezold, at the Sedgwick Theatre in May.
The logistics of this off-Broadway and regional transfer, with its differing designs, performance spaces and artistic teams were incredibly complex, but ultimately rewarding. Spectators in all three cities embraced the unique story of Benjamin Lay, and the artistry of Mark Povinelli. It was a stunning accomplishment for Rodriguez and the PCTC team who turned the ambitious idea of bringing this play home to America into a triumphant reality!
Behind the scenes off-Broadway
In New York, The Return of Benjamin Lay was configured for its New York audiences by an amazing team of transatlantic theatre-makers, some of whom had been committed to this play in other variations. This included Ron Daniels as director, with a set design by Patrick Blanchard based on original concept by the legendary Riccardo Hernandez, sound design by John Leonard, costumes by Isobel Nicholson, lighting design by Yichen Zhou and movement design by the iconic American performer Bill Irwin.
For its off-Broadway debut, the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture was used not only as a performance venue for this ground-breaking play, but also as a space for hosting special events and receptions, the opening night gala, the proclamation of “Ben Lay” day on March 17th, a New York Quarterly Meeting of NYC Quakers, a reception for Little People of America activists, and “Performing Resistance,” a post-show talk-back with the playwrights, performer and director, moderated by PCTC’s Erica Stevens Abbitt.
Throughout the run, the public was invited to attend a companion exhibit in the Sheen’s Dilenschneider Gallery on the historical and cultural roots of Benjamin Lay, the anti-slavery movement and its link with Quakerism, and the radical empathy, curated by Rachel Lynn Jackson.
A study guide for students and educators was made available on the website, and playscripts and some of Rediker’s key publications on Benjamin Lay were made available in the lobby.
These events and resources were meant to create a welcoming, accessible, interactive, community/performance space, giving everyone a chance to mingle with the cast, crew, producers and playwrights and learn more about this extraordinary man and his vision.
Opening night ~ and an amazing award
The opening night gala was an exuberant mixture of PCTC alums and supporters, including a starry array of New York theatre artists (such as Emily Mann, Sydney Cole, Kyra Sims, Cornell Wormack, Pooya Mohseni and Irene Glezos), as well as activists, educators, community members, and even a few newcomers. All seemed overwhelmed by Povinelli’s virtuoso performance and inspired by his story of bravery and courage.
PCTC was also honored when Dr. Judy Arnold attended the play during the run and featured The Return of Benjamin Lay in a post to her many followers.
Drama Desk Award
But the excitement didn’t end with the last performance of The Return of Benjamin Lay at the Sheen Center. Mark Povinelli’s incomparable performance in this off-Broadway PCTC production earned him a nomination for the prestigious 2025 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. (The award eventually went to Andrew Scott, just to give you an idea of the competition involved!).
Mark, attending the Drama Desk awards with PCTC Artistic Director Joseph W. Rodriguez, wrote: “Amazing to be amongst some of the most talented artists in theater @dramadeskawards. Thank you to my producer and date @jrodriguez931. Representing with my allies in disability @dannyjgomezofficial and @ryanjhaddad. Shocked, shocked at Andrew Scott’s win but sure, he’s kinda good!”
An Ongoing Mission for PCTC
Mark’s generous comments reflect another aspect of this production for Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company. In keeping with PCTC’s ongoing mission to serve the community while creating innovative programming which showcases the best in American theatre, The Return of Benjamin Lay provided the company with the opportunity to develop its vision even further.
Working with community leaders and dedicated members of The Return of Benjamin Lay production team (particularly Kelly Schmidt and Rachel Lynn Jackson) PCTC undertook a new initiative to improve our accessibility practices –from signage and modifications to building entrance, bathrooms, lobby, elevators, changing rooms, backstage area and theatre seating, to workshops on accommodations, updated policies inclusive hiring practices and support for the diverse needs of cast, crew, designers and audience members throughout the run.
Already known for its commitment to affordable and ticket pricing to develop and expand its audiences and its dedication to mentorship of young theatre professionals, PCTC is always looking for ways to expand its mandate for accessible, inclusive, connective and innovative programming.
In 2024, our Artistic Director, Joseph W. Rodriguez was honored by the Entertainment Community Fund for his sustained efforts to support fellow theatre artists, enrich arts education offerings within the community and encourage inclusive, accessible environment for theatrical experiences in New York City, and beyond.
But there is still more work to do! And we hope you will help us in our mission.
As we go forward from the uplifting experience of The Return of Benjamin Lay, we want to thank you for being part of the PCTC family, and for allowing us to bring you the best in American theatre – past, present and future.
We urge you to play your part in our journey! Please keep coming to our events and continue the conversation which Ben Lay began. Join us in our next productions, to think, feel and connect about the things that matter to us all, inspired by some of the best plays and talented artists in theatre today.
Thank you for being part of this family – and for providing us with your support! We need it now more than ever.