It’s showtime, Philly. 

2026’s Philly Theatre Week is officially set for April 23 to May 3, and this 10-day celebration will feature nearly 50 events, highlighting the vibrancy and diversity of the Greater Philadelphia theatre community.

All Theatre Week events will once again offer pay-what-you-can (PWYC) ticketing to make regional theatre more accessible. This flexible pricing model allows audiences to choose what they’re able to pay, and every PWYC ticket purchased directly supports the participating theatre companies and artists.

A note: Philly Theatre Week tickets are limited and offered separately from standard box office sales. If PWYC tickets for a particular event sell out, additional tickets may still be available through the producing theatre’s official website.

But with such a wide variety of productions happening across the city, you might be wondering: What do I see?

Metro breaks down the can’t-miss shows at this year’s Philly Theatre Week. 

‘Carrie: The Musical’

This on-stage recreation of Stephen King’s famous story follows teenage outcast Carrie White and her inner struggle to fit in despite a relentless crowd of bullies and a cruel mother. What nobody realizes is the abilities that Carrie holds, and if she’s pushed too far, it “could spell disaster for all of those around her.” Currently, there are PWYC tickets (via Ticketleap) available for April 26 at 2 p.m. and May 1 at 8 p.m.

Old Academy Players, 3544 Indian Queen Lane, oldacademyplayers.org

‘Aint Misbehavin’

This Tony Award-winning celebration of jazz icon Fats Waller features hits like ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ ‘It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie,’ ‘I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,’ and its own namesake, ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’. It’s all meant to honor “a musical genius who forever changed the sound of American music.” Locals can nab PWYC tickets (via Ticketleap) for April 29 at 7:30 p.m. as part of Theatre Week.

Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb St., Norristown, theatrehorizon.org

‘Urinetown’

The official synopsis for this popular show reads: “In a drought-stricken dystopian city where private toilets are outlawed and the privilege to pee comes with a fee, a corporate tyrant controls the public amenities, squeezing every penny from society’s most basic need. But when a humble custodian at Public Facility #9 decides he’s held it in long enough, he leads a revolution to free the citizens from paying to pee.” There are currently PWYC tickets (via Ticketleap) available to this musical on April 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and April 26 at 2 p.m.

Topper Theatre at the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, villanovatheatre.org

William Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’

Known as a story stock full of blood, manipulation, betrayal, ambition, and jealousy, this classic tale from The Bard himself follows Prince Richard of Gloucester, who will stop at nothing to be king. But what he learns is that he should never underestimate those closest to him. Currently, audiences can purchase Theatre Week PWYC tickets (via Ticketleap) for this show on April 23, 24, 25, and 26 at 7 p.m.

The Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany, 330 S 13th St., slatechurch.org

‘The Contrast’

Known as America’s first comedy — this show was written in 1787 — ‘The Contrast’s plot reads: “The sentimental Maria is unhappily engaged to Dimple, a dandy whose recent European tour has given him expensive tastes and a tendency to flirt with her friends. They all seem on track for a life of misery until Colonel Manly and his salt-of-the-earth waiter Jonathan arrive in town to disrupt this disreputable plot.” Theatre Week PWYC tickets are currently on sale for April 24 at 7 p.m. and April 25 at 3 p.m. via TicketLeap.

Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St., interacttheatre.org

‘The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales’

This re-imagined fairytale features plenty of quirky characters and funny twists where classic stories get mixed up and are “downright silly.” This adaptation of the beloved children’s book has PWYC tickets available for its May 1 performance at 7 p.m. via Ticketleap.

Arcadia Stage at Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., ardentheatre.org

Disney’s ‘High School Musical Jr.’

Moorestown Theater Company will present  “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.” four times with Neurodiverse Students under MTC’s ‘Penguin Project’ Chapter.  As a release notes, the ‘Penguin Project’ is a national theater program that has 55 chapters in 25 states, with MTC having the only chapter in New Jersey. This show, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has a cast of 22 Neurodiverse ‘artists’ playing the lead roles, and 19 Neurotypical ‘mentors’ completing the Ensemble. PWYC tickets (via Ticketleap) are currently open for April 23 at 6 p.m., April 25 at 7 p.m., and April 26 at 2 p.m.

Moorestown Theater Company at First Methodist Church, 446 E. Camden Ave., moorestowntheatercompany.org

‘The Incel of the Basement’

The official description for this out-of-the-box concept notes that it is “a one-man, one-uwu-doll, one-act musical parody of the classic show that is NOT a romance, but is definitely horrific. Join Erik, the titular incel, in this modern retelling of a tale as old as time. A spectacle to behold.” This show first premiered at the 2025 Fringe Festival, and there will be a Q&A discussion followed by karaoke after each performance. PWYC tickets are available via TicketLeap for April 27, 28, 29, 30 and May 1 at 8 p.m.

Queer House, 5516 Spruce St., phillyfringe.org/venues/queer-house

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