Upcoming Events.
Con Air - A Live Reading
Put the bunny back in the box…
Nicolas Cage. John Malkovich. Ving Rhames. Mid-Air explosions. What more could you ask for? How about all of it done live and in person at your favorite sticker-clad bar?
Join us on August 17th at Tattooed Mom as we witness Nic Cage doing his thing and convicts giving some FBI agents what they probably deserve. So buckle up, put those trays up, and prepare for take off with this absolutely insane 90s action classic.
Directed by Adam Howard
August 17th, 2026 - 7:00pm
The Whole F**king Twilight Saga…in 60 Minutes
Vamipres. Werewolves. Creepy CGI Babies.
Theatre Contra is back and they're taking on the ENTIRE Twilight Saga. But can they do it all in just 60 minutes? Can Bella survive high school, love triangles, vampire secret societies, bed-breaking sex, and a plethora of terrible wigs before the clock runs out? Can Edward stay looking so intense that he may actually be constipated for a full hour? Will anyone explain the terrifying CGI creature named Renesmee? Probably not...but we're going to have a lot of fun trying.
Whether you're Team Edward, Team Jacob (or, let's be real, Team Charlie), join us as we explore why we all thought it was okay that a 100+ year-old dude was dating (and sometimes stalking) a freshly minted 18-year-old because a Mormon lady thought it was romantic.
September 25th & 26th | 7pm & 9pm
Signs - A Live Reading
This is exactly what the nerds want…
Philly’s greatest filmmaker and twist master M. Night Shyamalan made us all believe in crop circles and stay hydrated, so to thank him, we are taking the script of his alien classic SIGNS and doing it LIVE! That’s right, grab those baseball bats and swing away on October 13th at Tattooed Mom, because these aliens were so dumb they came to a planet made of 70% of their greatest weakness.
Directed by Adam Howard
October 13th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Scream - A 30th Anniversary Live Reading
What’s your favorite scary movie?
Other than…you know…the world right now? Let’s forget about that and take the script of the greatest meta horror movie to grace the silver screen and do it LIVE!
That’s right, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, we’re stabbing our way through Scream on October 29th at The Trestle Inn and October 30th at Second District Brewing. So you better run up those stairs, split up from the group, and ask who’s there, because it’s going down like it’s 1996.
October 29th and 30th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Scream - A 30th Anniversary Live Reading
What’s your favorite scary movie?
Other than…you know…the world right now? Let’s forget about that and take the script of the greatest meta horror movie to grace the silver screen and do it LIVE!
That’s right, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, we’re stabbing our way through Scream on October 29th at The Trestle Inn and October 30th at Second District Brewing. So you better run up those stairs, split up from the group, and ask who’s there, because it’s going down like it’s 1996.
October 29th and 30th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Back to the Future - A Live Reading
When this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious sh*t.
And serious sh*t we will give you. We're going back in time, then BACK TO THE FUTURE as we create more than one grandfather paradox and many sequels in motion. So you better hop in your Delorean, travel back in time to Second District Brewing on November 12th, and get ready to absolutely WRECK the space/time continuum.
November 23rd, 2026 - 7:00pm
Back to the Future - A Live Reading
When this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious sh*t.
And serious sh*t we will give you. We're going back in time, then BACK TO THE FUTURE as we create more than one grandfather paradox and many sequels in motion. So you better hop in your Delorean, travel back in time to Second District Brewing on November 12th, and get ready to absolutely WRECK the space/time continuum.D
November 23rd, 2026 - 7:00pm
Rocky - A 50th Anniversary Live Reading
Einstein flunked out of school, twice. Beethoven was deaf. Helen Keller was blind. I think Rocky's got a good chance.
Yeah…not sure if all those circumstances are comparable, Adrian. But hey, we’re celebrating 50 years of the Philly CLASSIC Rocky which also just HAPPENS to be a Christmas movie (go figure).
So grab your gloves, run on over to The Trestle Inn on December 16th and hop in the ring. We promise we won’t make you run up and down stairs…but we may force you into some endless training montages…
December 16th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Pirates of the Caribbean - A Live Reading
The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem...
Prepare for a night of sword fights, supernatural mayhem, questionable nautical expertise, and eyeliner strong enough to launch a thousand ships. You guessed it, Theatre Contra is taking Pirates of the Caribbean and doing it LIVE at The Trestle Inn! So secure your bootstraps, ditch that sinking ship and please don't steal any cursed coins again...
Directed by Jenna Kuerzi
July 30th, 2026 - 7:00pm
But I’m A Cheerleader - A Live Reading
Oh my god, they were right. I’m a homo!
Theatre Contra is kicking of Pride Month the only way we know how...with a movie reading! What better reading than the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER? That's right, we're living our queer joy at Tattooed Mom, so get ready for a night of pastel propaganda and enough camp to power a Pride parade.
Directed by Adaeze Nwoko
June 8th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - A Live Reading
BREAD MAKES YOU FAT?!
Yeah, it may, but you know what doesn't make you fat? A Theatre Contra Live Reading, that's what! We've got 7 evil exes to defeat while avoiding a stalker, a confusing roommate, and your sister. So grab those coins, whip out a warhammer, and get ready to witness SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD live at Tattooed Mom!
Directed by Tay Sconiers
May 11th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Heathers - A Live Reading
My Son's A Homosexual, And I Love Him...
There’s ONE true queen bee of high-school dark comedy, and that’s HEATHERS. And now, Theatre Contra is taking this cult-classic script of teen angst, croquet, and casual homicide and performing it LIVE!
Get ready for a night of savage one-liners, color-coded tyranny, and a love story so toxic it should come with a hazmat warning. So pull on your scrunchies, sharpen your sarcasm, and prepare for an evening of beautifully bitchy mayhem as we bring this deliciously dark masterpiece to life.
Directed by John Patouhas
April 22nd, 2026 - 7:00pm
D2: The Mighty Ducks - A Live Reading
Ducks fly together...
That's right, Theatre Contra is taking the script of D2: The Mighty Ducks and doing it LIVE! Get ready for knuckle-puck madness, outrageous '90s patriotism, and the triumphant return of Coach Bombay as he leads Team USA against the most intimidating youth hockey squad ever assembled: ICELAND. That’s right — Iceland, the eternal villain for reasons still unknown.
Directed by Leslie Miller
March 16th, 2026 - 7:00pm
You Got Served - A Live Reading
Do not walk outta' this place and start to second guess yo' talent.
There’s ONE true dance showdown film, and that’s YOU GOT SERVED! That’s right — Theatre Contra is taking the iconic script of this dance movie classic and bringing it to life onstage! Crews will clash, friendships will be tested, and somebody is absolutely getting served - because in this game, respect is earned eight counts at a time.
February 9th, 2026 - 7:00pm
The Whole F**king Spider-Man Trilogy…in 60 Minutes
Six Iconic Villains. Three Beloved Movies. One Emo Dance Sequence.
What more can you ask for? How about all of it in 60 minutes (or less).
Following their sold-out run of The Whole F**king Twilight Saga...in 60 Minutes, Theatre Contra is taking to the streets of Sam Raimi's NYC, in a world before the MCU, where with great power comes great responsibility, and they're doing the entire Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Trilogy in 60 minutes...hopefully. Can we do it and finally wield the power of the sun in the palm of our hands? Or will we blow up like a pumpkin bomb to the face? Only one way to find out...
Directed by Bryant Edwards
January 24, 2026 - 7:00pm
January 30, 2026 - 8:30pm
The Whole F**king Spider-Man Trilogy…in 60 Minutes
Six Iconic Villains. Three Beloved Movies. One Emo Dance Sequence.
What more can you ask for? How about all of it in 60 minutes (or less).
Following their sold-out run of The Whole F**king Twilight Saga...in 60 Minutes, Theatre Contra is taking to the streets of Sam Raimi's NYC, in a world before the MCU, where with great power comes great responsibility, and they're doing the entire Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Trilogy in 60 minutes...hopefully. Can we do it and finally wield the power of the sun in the palm of our hands? Or will we blow up like a pumpkin bomb to the face? Only one way to find out...
Directed by Bryant Edwards
January 24, 2026 - 7:00pm
January 30, 2026 - 8:30pm
Die Hard - A Live Reading
Yippee Ki Yay, Mother F**ker
Forget A Christmas Carol, toss out It's A Wonderful Life, dump The Grinch. There's one TRUE Christmas movie and that's DIE HARD! That's right, Theatre Contra is taking the script of this explosive holiday classic and doing it live! So get ready for a night of merry espionage and crawling through ducts as we save The Trestle Inn from Hans Gruber and his band of criminals.
Directed by Adam Howard
December 10 & 11, 2025 - 7:00pm
Die Hard - A Live Reading
Yippee Ki Yay, Mother F**ker
Forget A Christmas Carol, toss out It's A Wonderful Life, dump The Grinch. There's one TRUE Christmas movie and that's DIE HARD! That's right, Theatre Contra is taking the script of this explosive holiday classic and doing it live! So get ready for a night of merry espionage and crawling through ducts as we save The Trestle Inn from Hans Gruber and his band of criminals.
Directed by Adam Howard
December 10 & 11, 2025 - 7:00pm
Friendsgiving Gone Wrong
This year, the turkey isn’t the only thing getting carved…
Join us for a night of food, friends, and fatal consequences in Friendsgiving Gone Wrong, an interactive murder mystery experience brought to you by Theatre Contra and A Novel Idea on Passyunk.
What starts as a cozy holiday gathering quickly unravels into chaos when one of the guests drops dead — and it’s up to you to figure out whodunnit. Everyone’s got secrets, no one is innocent, and someone at the table isn’t who they say they are…Directed by Tay Sconiers
November 14 & 15, 2025 - 7:00pm
Friendsgiving Gone Wrong
This year, the turkey isn’t the only thing getting carved…
Join us for a night of food, friends, and fatal consequences in Friendsgiving Gone Wrong, an interactive murder mystery experience brought to you by Theatre Contra and A Novel Idea on Passyunk.
What starts as a cozy holiday gathering quickly unravels into chaos when one of the guests drops dead — and it’s up to you to figure out whodunnit. Everyone’s got secrets, no one is innocent, and someone at the table isn’t who they say they are…Directed by Tay Sconiers
November 14 & 15, 2025 - 7:00pm
Wild Wild West - A Live Reading
Shoot first, shoot later, shoot some more and then when everybody's dead try to ask a question or two...
Or we could just...get along in the wild wild west, right? Theatre Contra is getting WESTERN in this weird and wild Will Smith classic. That's right, we're taking the INSANE script of Wild Wild West and doing it LIVE - robotic spiders included.
Directed by Tay Sconiers
October 29, 2025 - 7:00pm
The Parent Trap - A Live Reading
Being young and beautiful is not a crime you know...
Oh...we know that's true. Just look at us. You know what else is true though? Theatre Contra is headed to TMoms on September 17th to meet our long lost twin as we take the script of The Parent Trap and do it LIVE! That's right, this Lindsay Lohan classic is coming a bumper car near you!
Directed by Katherine Perry
September 17, 2025 - 7:00pm
The Mummy Returns - A Live Reading
No harm ever came from opening a chest...
That's exactly what she said about opening a book last time...either way, join Theatre Contra at Tattooed Mom on August 18th as we fight mummies AND scorpion kings all while trying to avoid getting shot in the arse...again. That's right, we're taking the script of The Mummy Returns and doing it LIVE (except for the mummy...that's very dead).
Directed by Bryant Edwards
August 24, 2025 - 7:00pm
Charlie’s Angels - A Live Reading
Once upon a time there were three very different little girls...
Barrymore. Diaz. Liu. We really shouldn't have to say more. You better be ready to kick some ass and take every single name in sight as we take the script of Charlie's Angels (2000) and do it LIVE! Join Theatre Contra at The Trestle Inn on July 24th to find out exactly why Charlie put together the best spy team around.
Directed by Tay Sconiers
October 6, 2025 - 7:00pm
JAWS - A 50th Anniversary Live Reading
You're gonna need a bigger boat.
You really shouldn't open the beach on the 4th of July, but you should definitely come on out to Tattooed Mom on June 22nd to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of what may be the greatest creature feature to ever scare audiences! Join us for an evening of sharks, boats, Spielberg, and maybe even a shark explosion.
Directed by Tay Sconiers
June 22, 2025 - 7:00pm
Dare Night: Gremlins
IDon’t miss Philadelphia’s Magazine's 2024 BEST OF PHILLY winner, Theatre Contra, as they take on the holiday classic Gremlins at CSz Philadelphia!
Dare Night: Gremlins is a wild, interactive live reading/performance of the 1984 dark comedy favorite.
The twist? You’re in charge! Throughout the show, the cast will take on challenges you throw their way, steering the antics of our mischievous Mogwai. Will you keep them cute, get them wet, or feed them after midnight? Regardless, the results will be absolute mayhem!
Dare Night: Gremlins
IDon’t miss Philadelphia’s Magazine's 2024 BEST OF PHILLY winner, Theatre Contra, as they take on the holiday classic Gremlins at CSz Philadelphia!
Dare Night: Gremlins is a wild, interactive live reading/performance of the 1984 dark comedy favorite.
The twist? You’re in charge! Throughout the show, the cast will take on challenges you throw their way, steering the antics of our mischievous Mogwai. Will you keep them cute, get them wet, or feed them after midnight? Regardless, the results will be absolute mayhem!
The Birds - A Live Reading
It is estimated that 5,750,000,000 birds live in the United States alone...
If the world is going to end, at least it's in classic Hitchcockian style! Theatre Contra is bringing you a live reading of Alfred Hitchcock's avian horror classic: The Birds! Fly on over to Tattooed Mom, hop in a bumper car and dodge some birds because this is going to be a reading like no other!
Directed by Bryant Edwards
September 4, 2024 - 7:00pm
Face/Off - A Live Reading
We can eat a peach for hours.
Theatre Contra is back and bringing you the face swapping epic: FACE/OFF! Is there any better plot than Nic Cage and John Travolta trading faces and trying to off each other? Doubtful. Join us at Tattooed Mom, grab a drink, hop in a bumper car and get ready for an action flick like no other. Literally.
Directed by Jonathan Silver
September 4, 2024 - 7:00pm
Holes - A Live Reading
D-I-G. What does that spell?
Join Theatre Contra as we dig up some holes, avoid poisonous reptiles, and solve some decades old mysteries. We're taking your favorite movie about holes and doing it LIVE at Meyers Brewing Company on August 24th, so grab your shovel, fill up on some sploosh, and get ready for a raucous good time!
Directed by Hannah Cordes
August 24, 2024 - 7:00pm
Tales From Letterbox’d - Movie Trivia
THIS MOVIE SUCKS!
Join Theatre Contra for an evening of Movie Trivia! You think you know movies?? We’ll see about that.
This event is completely free and open to the public! Catch us at Meyers Brewing on July 27th at 7:00pm!
The Happening - A Live Reading
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Join Theatre Contra, just in time for Earth Day, as we perform what is arguably the most logical movie to ever exist: M. Night Shymalan’s The Happening! We’re back at Tattooed Mom, so grab a drink, hop in a bumper car and get ready to yell at some plastic plants.
Directed by Adam Howard
April 22, 2024 - 7:00pm
Dare Night: National Treasure
Go To This Place. Here's The Treasure. Spend It Wisely
That’s right...we’re stealing the Declaration of Independence! Join Theatre Contra for the next iteration of their DARE NIGHT series!
We're taking the movie script of Nicolas Cage’s magnum opus and doing it live. The twist? You're in control! We'll be accepting audience dares throughout the show, meaning you get to determine how the show unfolds...for better or worse.
Directed by Bryant Edwards
April 5, 12, 19, 2024 - 8:00pm
Dare Night: National Treasure
Go To This Place. Here's The Treasure. Spend It Wisely
That’s right...we’re stealing the Declaration of Independence! Join Theatre Contra for the next iteration of their DARE NIGHT series!
We're taking the movie script of Nicolas Cage’s magnum opus and doing it live. The twist? You're in control! We'll be accepting audience dares throughout the show, meaning you get to determine how the show unfolds...for better or worse.
Directed by Bryant Edwards
April 5, 12, 19, 2024 - 8:00pm
Dare Night: National Treasure
Go To This Place. Here's The Treasure. Spend It Wisely
That’s right...we’re stealing the Declaration of Independence! Join Theatre Contra for the next iteration of their DARE NIGHT series!
We're taking the movie script of Nicolas Cage’s magnum opus and doing it live. The twist? You're in control! We'll be accepting audience dares throughout the show, meaning you get to determine how the show unfolds...for better or worse.
Directed by Bryant Edwards
April 5, 12, 19, 2024 - 8:00pm
Tales From Letterboxed - Movie Quizzo Fundraiser
THIS MOVIE SUCKS!
Theatre Contra is hosting their first fundraiser! Join the team behind your favorite irreverant movie readings at your favorite sticker covered bar for an evening of movie trivia, performances, prizes, and more!
In between each round of trivia, we'll be doing a live reading of some of the weirdest, and wildest movie trailers that have ever existed.
Batman and Robin - A Live Reading
We hate to disappoint you…but our rubber lips are immune to your charms. This February, join us for an evening of superheroes, sidekicks, ice guns, phermones, and superfluous nipples! Theatre Contra is taking the script of Batman and Robin (you know, the nipple one), and performing it live!
Directed by John Patouhas
February 18th, 2024 - 7:00pm
Snakes on a Plane - A Live Reading
Snakes? Planes? Samuel L. Jackson? What more can you ask for?
Join us on January 19th at Meyers Brewing Company for a night of flying high with a few unwanted reptilian guests...Theatre Contra brings to life this modern cult classic with a LIVE performance of the movie script. Can you deboard without any bites? Or will you be left on the tarmac?
Directed by Natajia Sconiers
January 19th, 2024 - 7:00pm