Topdog/Underdog

From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks comes a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity. Topdog/Underdog tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names, given to them as a joke, foretell a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by their past abandonment, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future. Brotherhood and manhood receive a raw and searing look as this story pits two brothers’ love against their scarring past, the pressures on their roles, and their deep-seated rivalry. 

Directed by one of the most sought after directors in Philadelphia, Amina Robinson and starring company member Akeem Davis. Topdog/Underdog is the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This production is co-produced with the Arden Theater Company.

Cinderella: A Musical Panto

Our wildly popular holiday confection is back with a brand-new staging of one of our most beloved pantos! Cinderella is chock-full of villains and heroes, shenanigans, and unfettered joy. Can a brave young person carve their own path and define their future, even when their family is doing all they can to prevent it? Join us to find out, sing along, cheer for our hero, and boo(oooo!) anyone who stands in her way!

Under the direction of panto veteran, past Cinderella cast member, and People’s Light Company Artist Liz Filios, with Associate Director Andrew Watring, our signature "holiday treat" (Broad Street Review) is a musical, magical experience for ages 5-105.

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Donya K. Washington

Lauren Gunderson’s new adaptation of the cherished classic Little Women, co-commissioned by People's Light, arrives in Malvern for the highly-anticipated finale of its rolling world premiere, staged by nationally acclaimed director Donya K. Washington. In 19th-century New England, ambitious Jo, traditional Meg, gentle Beth, and spirited Amy grow up balancing their sisterly bonds with their distinct personalities. With their father away at war, the March sisters resist and respond to the roles and expectations of their time, carrying each other through hardship, friendship, romance, and loss. A timeless tale of family, resilience, and a determined young writer finding her way in the world, Little Women proves what is possible when you can lean on the unconditional love of a sisterhood.

Harvey

When the affable Elwood P. Dowd introduces his invisible friend – an exceedingly tall rabbit named Harvey – to guests at a high society party, his sister Veta can no longer tolerate his eccentricities. She decides to have Elwood committed to spare her family from future embarrassment, sparking a wild romp of misunderstandings and mishaps. As the line between who is sane and who is not starts to blur, the cost of conformity comes into sharp relief. This tender comedy explores the tension between society's expectations and a family's bond.

Directed by Producing Director Molly Rosa Houlahan, this production will feature a cast of your favorite People’s Light Company Artists, including David M. Lutken as Elwood. Harvey was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was adapted for the screen in the famous film starring Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull. 

Urinetown

Launch your summer with a three-time-Tony-winning, satirical musical comedy that is as timely as it is entertaining. Our story is set in a dystopian future after a severe drought, where all citizens must use public restroom facilities controlled by a megacorporation to conserve water. A biting take on the trope of ragtag underdogs vs. corrupt politicians, Urinetown questions what is required to make real change, as both the character and concept of Hope must break free from the cruel traditions of the past generation. Combine a showstopping song list with a sharp parody of capitalism, the establishment, and the anti-establishment, and you get a musical you'll gush about all summer long.

Directed by Associate Artistic Director Andrew Watring, Urinetown features an all-star cast of People’s Light Company Artists.