PHILADELPHIA, May 13 /PRNewswire/-- The Lights of Liberty Show-- a breathtaking sound and light spectacular presented by PECO Energy-- held a Mother's Day Salute to America's Founding Mothers on Independence Mall. Claire Bloom, on of the show's stars, was on hand for a special ceremony that included tossing hundreds of white carnations, the traditiional Mother's Day flower, which was designated in 1908 when a Philadelphia woman, Anna Jarvis, founded Mother's Day. Following the ceremony, she and Founding Mothers Abigail adams, Deborah Franklin, Molly Pitcher, Betsy Ross, Martha Washington and Phillis Wheatley traveled by horse-drawn carriages to the start of the show at Franklin Court.
Claire Bloom, an international theatre and film star whose work includes leading roles in A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler and The Turn of the Screw, is the voice of Deborah Franklin in the Lights of Liberty Show. This was the first time Ms. Bloom experienced the Show and heard the recorded version of her moving performance as Deborah Franklin, who bravely defends her home iwth a shotgun against an unruly mob protesting the Stamp Act of 1765.
the Lights of Liberty Show uses 3-D headsets, five-story projections, and special effects to immerse show guests in the spectacular story of America's independence, -- as it happened, where it happened. Over the course of one hour, seven City blocks and five dramatic acts -- at the site of Franklin's home, Carpenter's Hall, the Second Bank of the U.S. and Independence Hall, the show explores how people moved from loyalty to the King and the British Empire in 1765 to a Declaration of Independence in 1776. Unlike the typical 20th century American history presentations, the show uses 21st century technology to expose time travelers to what "freedom" meant for all citizens, women and the enslaved Africans who lived among them.
In addition to Claire Bloom, the voices of America's foremothers and fathers and their diverse points of view are portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg, who narrates a special children's version of the show, Walter Cronkite, Ossie Davis, Charlton Heston, Frank Langella, Noah Emmerich, and Philadelphians David Morse, Craig Shoemaker and Ralph Archbold. The Philadelphia Orchestra recorded an original musical score composed by John Debney. Skywalker Sound produced the spine-tingling soundtrack. David Mitchell, who has won three Tony Awards, provided art direction. Ron Maxwell, writer/director of historical films such as Gettysburg, wrote the script. Author/historian Gary Nash, who is the country's foremost scholar on the experience of women and blacks in colonial times, was the project's historian. Ron Miziker, producer of major shows around the world, was the creative director.
The evening also marked the official beginning of the Show's second season. 100,000 people are expected to experience the Lights of Liberty Show in 2000. Reservations for the show are recommended. Continuous performances of the one-houre experience begin just after dark, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through Memorial Day Weekend; Tuesdays through Saturdays in June, July and August; then Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in September until the end of October. Groups leave every 10-15 minutes.
Tickets for Lights of Libert shows are $17.76 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, $12 for children 6-12 years old. Admission for groups of 15 or more will be $15 per adult. AAA members recieve a 10% discount.
Lights of Liberty, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed by former Mayor Ed Rendell, who is its Chairman. Ann Meredith is the company's President and Executive Producer.
For more information or advance reservations to Lights of Liberty Show, call 215-LIBERTY or 1-877-GO-2-1776; website: www.lightsofliberty.org.

SOURCE Lights of Liberty, Inc.
Contact: Amy Angelilli of Lights of Liberty, 215-733-0900, ext. 227, web site: http://www.lightsofliberty.org/