Topdog/Underdog
Arden Theatre Company presents Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama *Topdog/Underdog*, co-produced with People’s Light. The play follows adult brothers Lincoln and Booth, whose father gave them jokingly ominous names that seem to define a life of rivalry and resentment. Sharing a room, they trade stories, challenge one another, and orbit the street hustle of three-card monte while confronting the choices, losses, and uncertain futures shaped by the hands they have been dealt.
The production is directed by Amina Robinson and features a creative team led by scenic designer David P. Gordon, costume designer Leigh Ivory Clark Paradise, lighting designer J. Dominic Chacon, sound designer Caroline Eng, dramaturg Gina Pisasale, fight director Eli Lynn, and stage manager Matthew Ryan Melchior.
When: October 29–December 13, 2026
Venue: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Run time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Tickets: Price not available
Ticket options: Tickets, season subscriptions, and group opportunities for groups of 10 or more are available through the Arden. Teen Night tickets are $15 for teens ages 13–18.
Director: Amina Robinson
Playwright: Suzan-Lori Parks
Co-producer: People’s Light
Creative team: David P. Gordon, scenic design; Leigh Ivory Clark Paradise, costume design; J. Dominic Chacon, lighting design; Caroline Eng, sound design; Gina Pisasale, dramaturgy; Eli Lynn, fight direction; and Matthew Ryan Melchior, stage management
Community events: A pay-what-you-choose final dress rehearsal benefiting the Urban Affairs Coalition takes place Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM, with in-person donations accepted.
Teen Night: Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM, with $15 tickets and a post-show talkback for teens ages 13–18.
Young Friends Night: Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The event includes networking and a pre-show talkback for professionals age 40 and under. Use code YFARDEN.
Student matinee: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 10:30 AM. School groups can submit a group inquiry.
Post-show talkbacks: Talkbacks with a member of Arden’s artist team are scheduled after the Sunday, November 15, 2026, performance at 2:00 PM and the Thursday, December 10, 2026, performance at 7:00 PM.
Accessibility: Caption glasses, which provide wearable and customizable closed captioning, can be reserved for performances beginning Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Open captioning, with live on-stage text displaying all words and sounds, and audio description, with live verbal descriptions of actions and visual effects, are offered Friday, November 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Box office: 215-922-1122; boxofficer@ardentheatre.org. Box office hours are Monday through Sunday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Parking and directions: Directions and parking information are available through the Arden Theatre Company.