Pig Iron Theatre Company Presents Franklin’s Key, Sci-fi Adventure Weaving Together Philadelphia History, Science, Discovery, and Magic

A Millville, New Jersey man accused of stealing a vehicle and subsequently striking a Bensalem Police officer last year, when attempting to flee a traffic stop had all of his charges held over for trial at preliminary hearing last week.

Late last month Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Gallagher ruled there was enough evidence presented by the Commonwealth to sustain two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, felony theft and related offenses filed against Devit Sanchez of New Jersey.

According to the probable cause, on Friday, August 8, 2025, Bensalem Township Police conducted a stolen vesicle investigation at the Sunoco Gas Station, located at 1432 Street Road,  The stolen vehicle was identified as a 2020 Acura ILX. white in color, bearing NIN97NMP, The vehicle is listed in NCIC as stolen out of Mount Laurel, NJ. Police were alerted to the stolen  vehicle traveling in the area of Bensalem Twp.

Police saw the stolen vehicle at the gas pumps of the Sunoco Station and a male entering the driver’s seat.

Officers pulled behind the stolen vehicle af the gas pumps and another Bensalem officer pulled in front of it, and the driver reversed the allegedly stolen vehicle rammed a patrol car causing the officer’s head to hit the interior roof.

Sanchez then fled the Sunoco Station at a high rate of speed traveling Eastbound on Street Rd. Bensalem officers pursued the vehicle that fled onto Northbound I-95 exceeding speeds of over 100 mph. The pursuit was eventually terminated and the vehicle got away.

Surveillance footage from the Sunoco Gas Station was obtained by the Bensalem Police, court records show.

Investigators circulated the video surveillance to other police agencies and to the public depicting the stolen vehicle and driver. Through investigation, a suspect was developed, identified as Sanchez, according to the probable cause.

On  October 7 , Police conducted an interview with Sanchez in which he allegedly admitted he was the driver of the stolen vehicle in this incident that hit an officer’s police car and fled.

An arrest warrant  was issued on January 27 for Sanchez and he was arrested on Feb. 2.

Sanchez remains in County Jail unable to post bond although a county judge reduced his his bail to half of the original set, to 10 percent of $100,000.00

He is scheduled for a formal arraignment in Doylestown on March 13 and is legally represented by the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office.

No trial date has been set as of publication time

Celebrated for its jaw-dropping special effects, imaginative  stagecraft, bold costumes, and original score, Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Barrymore Award-winning  production Franklin’s Key returns this summer following last year’s breakout world premiere that  captivated audiences and critics alike.

Pig Iron remounts its hit sci-fi adventure June 11 to 28, 2026, at the intimate, 220-seat venue -Plays & Players Theatre- located at 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia.

Set across iconic Philadelphia landmarks and steeped in the city’s real scientific legacy, Franklin’s Key is  an ideal cultural experience as the nation celebrates the Semiquincentennial. The show transforms  Philadelphia’s history of invention, revolution, and curiosity into a thrilling live adventure, making it a  natural fit for theater lovers exploring the city during America’s 250th commemoration. Fans of The  Goonies, Stranger Things, Harry Potter, and National Treasure will enjoy the artistry and mystery of this  thrilling live, immersive stage production. Last year’s debut generated strong audience demand,  extensive press attention, and praise for its inventive storytelling and visual ingenuity. Broad Street Review called the show “visually mesmerizing,” highlighting its blend of history, science, and myth as “a  timely look at who wields power and knowledge.”

Co-Director Dan Rothenberg offers, “This love letter to Philadelphia brings together sci-fi fans, history  nerds, and science enthusiasts. We were so delighted to hear audiences say it was the one show that  they could bring grandparents and kids to, and nobody felt left out. While the show offers adventure and  humor that keeps younger audiences engaged, the intrigue of secret societies and a story rooted deeply  in Philadelphia’s culture is sure to fascinate audiences of all ages. Our goal is to offer everyone a wild ride  that makes history and science surprising and arresting and twisty.”

During the War of Independence, the British feared Benjamin Franklin could control the weather.  Franklin’s Key asks: What if that were true? A mystery unfolds for audiences in an alternate reality where  Franklin’s undiscovered technology has been hidden underneath some of Philadelphia’s most treasured  landmarks for centuries. Set in present-day Philadelphia, Franklin’s Key follows two teenage prodigies:  Temple (Jameka Monet Wilson), a self-taught scientist, and her brother Arturo (Alton Alburo), a gifted  musician. The two uncover an ancient mystery, setting off a chain of events that draws them into a secret  battle between rival factions seeking to harness the incredible yet volatile powers of Franklin’s long-lost  technology. Aided by a cast of misfit friends, Temple and Arturo traverse hidden tunnels under the city,  leading them from abandoned subway platforms to the iconic statue of William Penn atop City Hall and  the building-sized organ inside the old Wanamaker Department Store. With time running out, the team must navigate a labyrinth hidden underneath Philadelphia, evade powerful enemies, and unlock the  secrets Franklin left behind before his discoveries fall into the wrong hands.

Almost all of the original Barrymore Award–winning cast returns for Franklin’s Key, reuniting the  celebrated ensemble that first brought the production to life and earned widespread critical acclaim in  Philadelphia. Their return underscores the production’s impact and the continued collaboration at the  heart of Pig Iron’s work.

Franklin’s Key runs approximately two hours with a short intermission and is recommended for children  ages eight and up. Previews run from June 11 to 14, with an opening, invite-only performance set for  Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $45, with 20% discounts for patrons 18 and under or 65+, and group discounts are  available for parties of 10 or more. Click here to purchase tickets. To book a group of 10 or more  people, please email boxoffice@pigiron.org. 

Click here for more information.

Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents “A Tribute to the Tenors” with John D. Smitherman.

Smitherman, one of the original Three American Tenors, showcases his incredible vocal range, commanding stage presence, and heartfelt storytelling. With a voice equally at home in operatic arias and popular classics, Smitherman takes audiences on a musical journey celebrating the greatest tenor voices of all time.

The concert will be in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the BCCC’s main campus at 275 Swamp Rd. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13. .The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission.

Smitherman pays homage to more than a dozen songsmiths, varying in style, including such iconic artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Tom Jones, Mario Lanza, Andy Williams, Luciano Pavarotti, and others. The show features many favorites, including “You Raise Me Up,” “It’s Impossible,” “Magic Moments,” “Time to Say Goodbye,” and many more. 

Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for BCCC students with current student ID. 

Click here to reserve tickets.

Click here for directions and a campus map..