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It was only a rumor, of course.
But, in Revolutionary War times, the rumor was enough to worry the Brits, who had heard that Ben Franklin, Philadelphia’s all-star colonial politician/meteorologist/scientist/inventor, could control the weather.
Bogus, obviously.
But what if it were true? That’s the question that forms the heart of Pig Iron Theatre Company’s upcoming production, “Franklin’s Key,” a comedic, sci-fi exploration of an alternative reality.
What if, to this day, there’s a secret, underground society of scientists laboring in Philadelphia, who can harness storms, rain, hail, thunder – not to mention the powerful forces of electricity that Franklin famously captured by hitching a door key to a kite during a thunderstorm.
For inspiration, the TV shows “Alias,” “The X-Files,” and “Stranger Things,” “all invite a wondering about secrets and secret societies and how technology happens away from the public view – sort of playing with those tropes,” said Dan Rothenberg, Pig Iron’s co-artistic director. Rothenberg co-wrote “Franklin’s Key” with longtime collaborator Robert Quillen Camp.
Another inspiration?
The playwrights’ children. Camp’s kids are teenagers and Rothenberg’s child is ten. In a 10-member cast, the lead characters in “Franklin’s Key” are two adolescent prodigies, siblings who uncover Philly’s secret scientific society and must save it from dark forces that want to control it for their own evil ends.
Pig Iron earned its worldwide reputation for its experimental theater, but for this play, the co-playwrights wanted something that both honored that and differed from it.
“After spending a couple of decades in experimental theater, we were kind of thinking of making work that was accessible and warm – a play that our kids and our kids’ friends could see and love, a crossroads between science and art,” Rothenberg said.
“And then, thinking about Pig Iron’s home in Philadelphia, we decided to put together a love letter to the city and to the myth of Ben Franklin — not the real historical Ben Franklin — but his place in the popular imagination.
“He was a champion of science, but he was no tech bro. He believed in the arts and civil society – like setting up the first fire company and library. He believed in democracy and civil society, which is particularly salient now,” Rothenberg said.
“This show is supposed to be a gateway drug to our brand to our inventive theater,” he said, “but it’s rooted in some touchstones that are acceptable to a lot of people in America, like “Back to the Future,” “The X-Files.”
Philadelphia landmarks, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, City Hall, Christ Church Burial Ground, and the Wanamaker Organ, take the stage as portals to this sci-fi/historical adventure.
Rothenberg said the audience should be prepared for some amazing special effects (and they are truly amazing, based on last year’s performance). Skylar Fox, the Obie Award-winning special effects designer who created effects for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway, brings his talent to the show.
Rosie Langabeer, a New Zealand-born composer, created the musical score.
“Franklin’s Key,” Pig Iron Theatre Co., June 11-28, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia. 267-494-1919 or franklinskey.com.
