(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This winter, Arden Children's Theatre invites families to journey across time and space with an exciting adaptation of Madeline L'Engle's beloved book, A Wrinkle in Time. Adapted by John Glore, winner of the Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time has inspired generations of readers, and even a major motion picture, since its publication. Now, the Arden brings this timeless classic to its stage for the first time. The production runs from December 3 through January 25, 2026.
Philadelphia-based director Rebecca Wright returns to lead the imaginative production for audiences ages six and up. The story features Meg Murry (Mersha Wambua), who feels more out of place than ever, until a mysterious visitor appears at her door and sweeps her, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace (Jayson Brown), and their friend Calvin (Daniel Burgess) on an adventure through time and space. Guided by three celestial beings: Mrs. Whatsit (Doug Hara), Mrs. Who (Julianna Zinkel), and Mrs. Which (Steven Anthony Wright), the trio must face unimaginable forces of darkness to rescue Meg’s missing father and restore light to the universe. Along the way, Meg discovers that love and courage may be the greatest power of all.
“This story reminds us that imagination and love are boundless. It’s about kids saving their parents, finding bravery in unexpected places, and that the real triumph in this story is love,” Wright says. “A lot of us on this project are parents ourselves. We’re making something that honors the intelligence and imagination of kids. It’s funny, heartfelt, and adventurous, a story families can truly share.”
A Wrinkle in Time begins December 3, opens December 13, and runs through January 25, 2026. Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $32. Tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the Arden Theatre Company Box Office (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA).
Director Rebecca Wright brings a world-class creative team together for A Wrinkle in Time, the same team behind The Arden’s spring production of The Hobbit, which won the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Costumes.
Daniel Burgess (Calvin / Ensemble) makes his Arden debut. Burgess’ regional credits include South Camden Theatre Company (Stop Kiss) and Enchantment Theatre Company (Peer Gynt). A graduate of The University of the Arts, Burgess has also toured nationally and written original works with Ubin Movement Theatre.
Jayson Brown (Charles Wallace / Ensemble) makes his Arden debut. Brown’s regional credits include North Shore Music Theatre (Grease), The Centre Theater (Tuck Everlasting), Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (Frozen, Legally Blonde), and Media Theatre (Tarzan). A graduate of Temple University’s BFA Musical Theatre program, Brown has also appeared on WHYY/PBS.
Doug Hara (Mrs. Whatsit / Man with Red Eyes / Ensemble) is a director and actor and returns to the Arden for his 16th production, starting with his appearance in A Prayer for Owen Meany in 2006, and most recently with Indecent in 2019. Other regional credits include roles at Theatre Horizon (A New Brain), Quintessence Theatre (The Wizard of Oz), and Lantern Theater (A Child’s Christmas in Wales). Hara is also a 30-year ensemble member of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, where he most recently wrote and directed Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth in 2016.
Mersha Wambua (Meg Murry) has appeared at the Arden as the understudy for Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Wambua’s regional credits include Hedgerow Theatre, Maukingbird Theatre (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Arcadia University (Dancing at Lughnasa, The Bahkkai), and Montgomery County Community College (Hedda Gabler). Wambua holds a BFA in Acting from Arcadia University.
Steven Anthony Wright (Father / Mrs. Which / Camazotz Man / Ensemble) returns to the Arden following his previous appearances in Charlotte’s Web (John Arable/Gander), Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates (Doctor Boekman, Carl Voost), and Gem of the Ocean (Eli). Wright’s regional credits include Theatre in the X (Beast of Nubia), Quintessence Theatre Group (Kiss Me, Kate), Philadelphia Theatre Company (Rizzo), Theatre Horizon (The Agitators), and EgoPo Classic Theatre (Machinal).
Julianna Zinkel (Mother / Mrs. Who / Camazotz Woman / Aunt Beast / Ensemble) is well known to Arden audiences for her roles in Intimate Apparel (Mrs. Van Buren), Charlotte’s Web (Martha Arable/Goose), Stick Fly (Kimber), Rabbit Hole (Izzy), and As You Like It (Celia). Regional credits include People’s Light (The Vinegar Tree), The Wilma Theater (Dance Nation), Theatre Exile (Blackbird), and Act II Playhouse (Mauritius). Screen credits include Mare of Easttown (HBO) and Fleishman is in Trouble (FX/Hulu).
The production team includes Sasha Jin Schwartz (Scenic Designer), Maria Shaplin (Lighting Designer), Nikki Delhomme (Costume Designer), Mel Hsu (Sound Designer), and Lyndsey Connolly (Stage Manager).
Special events and performances for A Wrinkle in Time include:
Student Matinees| Sunday, November 16 at 2:00pm and Thursday, December 11 at 7:00pm
Join a member of Arden’s artist team for post-show talkbacks
Smart Caption Glasses | Starting Saturday, December 20
Wearable, customizable Closed Captioning Glasses are available to reserve for performances. Click here to learn more
American Sign Language (ASL) Shadow Interpretation| Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10:30 am, and Saturday, January 1,7 at 4:00pm. ASL Interpretation where signers follow / “shadow” cast movement
Accessibility: The Arden is fully accessible to people with special needs and named a Keystone of Accessibility by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Resources available for families include assistive listening devices, sensory processing tools, smart caption glasses, large print programs, and more.
Arden Theatre Company, founded in 1988, is a professional theatre company in Old City, dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. To date, the Arden has produced 46 World Premieres. The Arden has developed four distinct educational programs: Arden for All, our in-school arts education program for elementary level students; Arden Drama School, their on-site, tuition-based theatre classes for pre-K through 12th-grade students; Teen Arden, their theatre enrichment program for high school students; and the Arden Professional Apprentice program, a rigorous training program for young theatre professionals.
