PHILADELPHIA, PA — History bends and lightning crackles as a familiar Founding Father takes center stage in a sci-fi spectacle made for Philadelphia. This summer, Pig Iron Theatre Company brings back its Barrymore Award–winning adventure Franklin’s Key, inviting audiences to imagine a city where science and sorcery collide.
Following its breakout world premiere last year, Franklin’s Key returns just as Philadelphia begins ramping up for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The story dares to ask a provocative question rooted in Revolutionary lore: During the War of Independence, the British feared that Benjamin Franklin could control the weather — but what if that were true?
Set against iconic Philadelphia landmarks, the production follows two brilliant high school prodigies racing to protect Franklin’s hidden technology from shadowy forces determined to seize it. The result is a fast-moving theatrical adventure that blends the city’s revolutionary past with a bold, alternate-universe twist.
Presented at Plays & Players Theatre from June 11 through June 28, the show is designed for audiences of all ages. Larger-than-life characters, sharply choreographed object transformations, and stage illusions add cinematic flair to the live experience.
Illusions for the production are created by Skylar Fox, known for his work on Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Back to the Future: The Musical, bringing high-level theatrical magic to a distinctly Philadelphia story.
Event Details
- What: Franklin’s Key presented by Pig Iron Theatre Company
- When: June 11–28 (performance times vary by date)
- Where: Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Cost/Tickets: Ticket prices vary; advance purchase recommended
- More Info: Visit Pig Iron Theatre Company’s website for showtimes and tickets
With its blend of local history, youthful ingenuity, and theatrical spectacle, Franklin’s Key offers families, students, and longtime theatergoers a fresh way to experience the city’s revolutionary spirit — with a few sparks flying along the way.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.