The Arden Theatre Company, located at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia, is currently staging the Pulitzer‑winning drama “Topdog/Underdog.” The play runs through December 20 and offers audiences a powerful look at brotherly love, trauma, and the lengths people go to survive.
Story and characters
Director Amina Robinson describes the piece as a “front‑row seat to a game of sibling rivalry.” The story follows younger brother Booth and his older brother Lincoln, who share a cramped room in a boarding house. Lincoln, portrayed by actor Akeem Davis, is a former three‑card‑monte hustler who abandoned that life after a tragic event. He now works a day job as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator while trying to get his life in order.
Booth, played by George McGriff, idolizes his older brother and dreams of a better tomorrow. He is “desperate for community” and hopes the two can make money together by reviving the three‑card‑monte game. The brothers grapple with shared childhood trauma, but, as Robinson notes, “they have each other.”
Production notes
Robinson says the play also examines the different identities people must assume “just to survive.” Davis calls the production “unconventional, raucous, profane” and a “hilarious, wild two hours.” He adds that the piece takes the audience on a “heck of a ride” and aims to leave viewers with a “profound experience.”
“Topdog/Underdog” contains mature themes and adult language, so it is recommended for mature audiences. Tickets are available through the Arden Theatre Company’s box office and online portal.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
