Philadelphia’s theater scene is currently staging two productions that turn the intimate, often chaotic world of new parenthood into a stage-worthy spectacle. Both shows run through Oct. 11, 2026 and focus on the delicate balance between caring for infants, surviving exhaustion, and maintaining friendships that were forged in the trenches of diaper changes and midnight feedings.
Lantern Theater Company presents “Summer, 1976”
Written by Pulitzer-winning playwright David Auburn (author of the 2001 award-winning Proof), “Summer, 1976” is a two-hander that follows two women—Alice and Diana—whose bond is shaped by a babysitting co-op in the Philadelphia neighborhoods of Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill. The production stars Grace Gonglewski as Alice and McKenna Kerrigan as Diana, and it is scheduled to close on Oct. 11, 2026 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.
Gonglewski describes the piece as “a story about women having a friendship that’s transformational when they are young and having children, and how changes in their own lives push them apart and push them in different directions. It’s poignant,” while also noting that the play mirrors her own experience with a Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill babysitting co-op she joined years ago. Lantern Theater even offered ticket discounts to current and former members of that co-op, underscoring the production’s community roots. In a candid moment, Gonglewski recalled the genesis of a lifelong friendship with fellow neighbor Martha Davis: “She was in for life,” she said, quoting the simple exchange of a chocolate-cherry loaf for a pesto dish and two beers.
Pier Players Theatre Company stages “Big Babies”
“Big Babies,” a farcical comedy by Kate Brennan and David Lee White centers on a group of longtime friends who attempt an adults-only dinner party despite the reality that all of them are still navigating diaper blowouts and toddler tantrums. The play runs through Oct. 11, 2026 at the Arden Theatre Company’s Hamilton Family Arts Center – Bob & Selma Studio Theatre, 62 N. 2nd St. The principal cast includes Jeffrey Barg as Troy Sutton, Vanessa Torres as Peg, Chelsea Cylinder as Janus Hendricks, and Chelsea Chandler as Janus’ wife.
Barg, who was dealing with a fresh “poop incident” involving his three-year-old on the morning of his interview, summed up the show’s tone: “Everybody is overtired and everybody is at their wits end. It doesn’t go very well.” He added that the piece is “Structurally, it’s a farce. That makes them do and act in ridiculous ways, how adults, when pushed to the edge, end up acting like big babies themselves.” The script even includes a tongue-in-cheek list of potential adult-conversation topics—ranging from J.R. Oppenheimer to serial killers of the 1970s and 1980s—crafted by Janus, who holds a PhD and has spent a year binge-watching PBS’s “Dinosaur Train.”
What the two plays reveal about modern parenting
Both productions use humor to spotlight a universal truth: the transition to parenthood can turn adults into “big babies” overnight. Barg recounted a recent episode where his three-year-old sprinted to him after a stuck bedroom door, only to sit in his lap and produce a massive diaper mess. He reflected, “In some ways, the poop is easier to clean up than paint. Before I had kids, I don’t know that I would have ever said that poop is preferable to other kinds of things that can be put on walls.” Similarly, Gonglewski emphasized how “boring and laborious” the early months are, yet she urged listeners to “reach out” to those who become transformational, regardless of gender.
The shows also highlight the role of community-based support systems—babysitting co-ops, shared dinners, and mutual friend groups—that help families survive the sleepless stretch between the infant’s two-month and three-year milestones. By framing these experiences within a theatrical context, Lantern Theater and Pier Players invite audiences to laugh, empathize, and perhaps recognize a piece of their own lives in the on-stage chaos.
Tickets for both productions remain available until the closing date. For “Summer, 1976,” call 215-829-0395; for “Big Babies,” reach 215-922-1122. Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or simply curious about the comedic side of diaper duty, Philadelphia’s current theatrical lineup offers a fresh, honest look at the absurdity and affection that define modern family life.
