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The Unexpected 3rd
September 17 October 26
September 17-October 26, 2025
By Kathryn Grody Directed by Timothy Near Steinbright Stage
EXTENDED! A Radical, Rollicking Rumination on the Optimism of Staying Alive

Extended due to popular demand: six performances added! Deep into her third and final act of being a person, award-winning theatre artist Kathryn Grody explores a surreal, devastating, and existentially hilarious potpourri of self-discoveries at 78 years young. As mother, actor, wife, grandmother, friend, and accidental influencer, Grody navigates the bewildering transition into elderhood — equal parts empowering and unnerving. The Unexpected 3rd is a humorous and heartfelt solo piece exploring the joys  and challenges of becoming not quite old, but elder. A sold-out sensation at our 2024 Kiln New Works Festival, this world premiere is a must-see — a rollicking rumination on the stunning impermanence of it all.

Run time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission.

BUY TICKETS

See more and save with a season subscription: 5 plays for a flat rate of $240! CLICK HERE to learn more.

Individual sponsors: 
Charles L. Arnao & Dr. Rosemary Watt
Jean & Bill Scholz

Pictured above: Kathryn Grody, photographed by Lauren Thomas.

Cast and Creative Team
Playwright and Performer
Director
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Stage Manager
Discover More
Press Release
Learn more about this world premiere play.
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Poetry Happy Hour
Join us at our first Poetry Happy Hour of the season for drinks and poetry inspired by themes in The Unexpected 3rd.
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Digital Program
Read the program for The Unexpected 3rd online.
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Enhance Your Experience
Tales with Tom

Join local legend and longtime People’s Light company artist, Tom Teti, for a pre-show event like no other. With his trademark wit and searing insight, Tom performs pieces focused on aging and memory. Following the performance, share a drink or snack with Tom and discuss your thoughts and questions about the piece, theater, and Tom’s life. Afterwards, stay for the 2pm performance of The Unexpected 3rd: a humorous and heartfelt solo piece exploring the joys and challenges of becoming not quite old, but elder.*

*Tickets to The Unexpected 3rd sold separately. You do not need a ticket to The Unexpected 3rd to attend Tales with Tom.

Saturday, September 27, 1pm
CLICK HERE to RSVP (free!)

AfterWORDS

You’ll want to unpack this one. Right after Thursday evening performances, stay for a post-show discussion moderated by People’s Light staff, often joined by members of the cast or creative team. You can bring your thoughts and questions, or just sit back and listen!

Thursday Nights

Relaxed Performance

Relaxed Performances offer a judgment-free, "shush-free" environment where traditional theatre rules are relaxed. During the performance, audience members are free to move around, exit and enter the theatre, or vocalize. All are welcome! At each Relaxed Performance, we offer audio description, ASL interpretation, and a pre-show sensory tour where you can interact with set and prop elements and ask questions. 

Sunday, October 5, 2pm
Pre-show sensory tour at 1pm (free with RSVP to diiorio@peopleslight.org)

Audio Description

Headsets provide commentary on the visual aspects of a performance. This supplemental narration interweaves with the real-time, spoken dialogue. This is also a Relaxed Performance.

Sunday, October 5, 2pm

American Sign Language Interpretation

American Sign Language interpretation provided by Hands UP Productions. This is also a Relaxed Performance.

Sunday, October 5, 2pm

Open Captioning

During every performance this week, dialogue appears on an LED screen placed near the stage to patrons with hearing impairments, as well as English language learners.

October 14–19

Smart Caption Glasses

Our Smart Caption Glasses offer immersive, real-time captioning for live theatre. These revolutionary glasses display a synchronized transcript of the play directly on the lenses, and are customizable for your comfort.

Smart Caption Glasses are available at performances of this play in the date range below. To reserve your pair of glasses, simply add tickets to your cart, then follow the link that appears at the top of the page to add a glasses reservation to your cart for free. For assistance, please contact the Box Office at tickets@peopleslight.org

September 30-October 26

Groups 10+ Save

Book as a group for substantial savings over regular ticket prices! Discounts range from 15-25% depending on the size of your group. We also offer groups a range of benefits that will make your outing unique and memorable. Learn more about group packages here or get in touch directly for more details: 610.647.1900 x111 or groupsales@peopleslight.org

Access Dates

To expand access to our work, we offer $30 Access Dates throughout the season. The discount is automatic for these performances, no promo code required.

Tuesday, September 23, 7pm
Wednesday, October 8, 2pm

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Become a full season subscriber and enjoy great perks like 15% off extra tickets and exclusive invitations. Additionally, your subscription supports People’s Light’s legacy of artistic excellence, education, and community investment and gives us the critical resources to ensure our next 50 years are as extraordinary as the first.

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