The Mütter Assassins Go to the Theater!

The Mütter Museum will be taking its two Presidential Assassins off display to attend the premier of the Arden Theater's premier of ASSASSINS on September 19th, 2007.

The Mütter Museum in collaboration with the Arden Theater will be displaying the actual remains of two of the nation's presidential assassins from its collection on the opening night, Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 of the Arden's production of Assassins. A portion of the brain of Charles Guiteau (President Garfield's assassin) and a portion of the thorax region of John Wilkes Booth (President Lincoln's assassin) will be will travel from the museum's home on 22nd street to the Arden Theatre where it will be on display in the Haas Lobby before the performance. This is the first time that any portion of John Wilkes Booth, a popular actor in his own right, will attend a theatrical performance since that fateful evening in 1863. It is also a first for theatergoers, who will be able to watch this scandalous musical and see the actual remains of two of the shows characters on the same night, under one roof

Arden Theatre Company will kick off its 20th Anniversary Season with Assassins, the socially provocative musical by Stephen Sondheim. Assassins weaves the intriguing tale of some of the most infamous characters from American history. Winner of five Tony Awards, it investigates the personalities behind nine individuals who attempted to assassinate a President of the United States. Assassins is part vaudeville extravaganza, part exposé and wholly electrifying, with an incredible score that reveals uneasy truths about the American Dream. Hugely resonant in today's celebrity-obsessed society, the story is peopled with desperate characters intent on making their indelible mark.

About the Mütter Museum

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia's Mütter Museum was founded to teach 19th century physicians about anatomy and human medical anomalies. Today, it serves as a valuable resource for educating and enlightening the public about our medical past and telling important stories about what it means to be human. The Mütter Museum embodies The College of Physicians of Philadelphia's mission to advance the cause of health, while upholding the ideals and heritage of medicine.

The museum's collections include over 20,000 medically-related objects, including fluid-preserved anatomical and pathological specimens, medical instruments, anatomical and pathological models, items of memorabilia of famous scientists and physicians, and medical photographs. Our one-of-a-kind treasures include:

• The plaster cast of the torso of world-famous Siamese Twins, Chang & Eng, and their conjoined livers
• Joseph Hyrtl's collection of skulls
• Preserved body of the "Soap Lady
• Collection of 2,000 objects extracted from people's throats
• Cancerous growth removed from President Grover Cleveland
• Tallest skeleton on display in North America

Located on 22nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets, the museum is open to the public Saturday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 9p.m. Visit the Museum page for admission fees, group tour scheduling and more.

About the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

Founded in 1787, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia is the oldest professional medical organization in the country. Twenty-four physicians of eighteenth century Philadelphia gathered "to advance the science of medicine and to thereby lessen human misery." Today, more than 1,500 Fellows (elected members) continue to convene at the College and work toward better serving the public. The College provides a place for both medical professionals and the general public to learn about medicine as both a science and an art.

About Arden Theatre Company

Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life the greatest stories by the greatest storytellers of all time. We draw from any source that is inherently dramatic and theatrical - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, music and drama. The Arden presents programs for the diverse greater Philadelphia community that arouse, provoke, challenge, illuminate and inspire. For more information about the Arden Theatre production of Assassins, contact Beth Yeagle, Director of Marketing, at 215-922-8900.