Lightning Rod Special News

Pig Iron Theatre Company's Barrymore Award-winning production FRANKLIN'S KEY returns to Plays & Players Theatre in Philadelphia, following teenage siblings who uncover Franklin's hidden weather-controlling technology beneath the city.

The Koan Brothers will present FOREIGNER, an anti-identity clown show by Iranian-American performer Sohrab Haghverdi, at Summerhall's Old Lab during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show explores immigration, identity, and deportation.

We sat down to discuss everything from Philadelphia Theatre Company to the world premiere of Pulitzer-Prize winner James Ijames' new play, Wilderness Generation.

Summerhall Arts announced its final 30 shows for its 2026 festival, including an 80-seat Sauna Theatre, Shaparak Khorsandi's debut play KISMET, Hannah Maxwell's new show, and productions from Francesca Moody Productions and theatregoose.

Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT) will present RHEOLOGY by Obie and Whiting Award-winning writer and director Shayok Misha Chowdhury. Learn more here!

Home of boundary-pushing performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, arts charity and year-round cultural hub Summerhall Arts has announced 36 more shows of the 2026 instalment of its renowned festival programme.

The American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association revealed six finalists for the 2026 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, recognizing the playwrights who produced the best scripts that premiered professionally outside of NYC in 2025.

Following the in-person run, Philadelphia-based theater company The Wilma Theater has launched the digital presentation of the Barrymore Award-winning production, Poor Judge – A Pig Iron Production.

The Wilma Theater is presenting the return of the Barrymore Award-winning production, Poor Judge – A Pig Iron Production, a dance-theater cabaret set to the music of Grammy Award-winning artist Aimee Mann.

The Civilians has revealed its 25th anniversary season, featuring the newest members of its R&D Group and more. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets here!

InterAct Theatre Company will continue its tradition of bold, timely storytelling with the Philadelphia premiere of WALDEN by Amy Berryman, directed by InterAct's Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin with assistant Director Lisi Levy.

Following productions at Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Signature Theatre in DC, and Theatre Horizon/Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Alex Bechtel's Penelope will return to Joe's Pub.

This summer, Gretna Theatre sets the stage for Shakespearean mayhem as it presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [revised again] - a laugh-out-loud comedy featuring all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in under 100 minutes.

Philadelphia-based and worker-owned Obvious Agency premieres its newest production, Space Opera, a “playable theater” and sci-fi/fantasy game for building empowered community.

 Philadelphia-based and worker-owned Obvious Agency will premiere its newest production, Space Opera, a “playable theater” and sci-fi/fantasy game for building empowered community.

The Bushwick Starr is partnering with HERE Arts Center and Ma-Yi Theater Company to present the world premiere of Rheology, written and directed by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Shayok Misha Chowdhury.

Theatre Philadelphia has announced the return of Philly Theatre Week 2025. This 10-day celebration will feature over 50 events, showcasing the diverse and dynamic theatre community of the Greater Philadelphia region

Philadelphia-based physical theater company Pig Iron Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Franklin’s Key, written by Dan Rothenberg and Robert Quillen Camp.

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Philadelphia based physical theater company Pig Iron Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Franklin's  Key, written by Dan Rothenberg and Robert Quillen Camp.

Explore the world premiere of RACECAR RACECAR RACECAR by Kallan Dana, directed by Sarah Blush, at the Connelly Theater. Follow a father and daughter on a surreal road trip. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.