The Lantern Theatre Company, located at St. Stephen’s Theater,10th and Ludlow Streets, Center City Philadelphia, is presenting Summer 1976 through October 11, 2026. Diana, played by McKenna Kerrigan, is a quirky artist when she first meets Alice, portrayed by Grace Gonglerwski. Her short, clipped sentences are acerbic. Alice is a laissez-faire academic wife and Grace is a driven artist. They seemingly have little in common but bond over having young children of the same age who immediately become best friends. Grace’s husband, Doug, is sometimes also given voice by Diane. Playwright David Auburn has provided witty dialogue throughout Summer 1976. This is not a comedy but rather a chance for the characters to grow and mature through a series of circumstances and for the audience to laugh in appreciation. Grace and McKenna are excellent in their roles. They are both onstage for the entirety of the 90-minute one-act with only a scattered minute here or there when one of them is not in the spotlight …and oh the spotlight! Thanks to Lighting Designer J. Dominic Chacon the spotlight also deserves title billing. Whenever Alice or Diana speaks to the audience, the spotlight is on her, and the other character is in shadows. This type of scenario happens frequently in the performance and the stage lighting is exquisite. For tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org
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