Arden Theatre Company presents "Topdog/Underdog" through December 20

Philadelphia (WPVI) -- "Topdog/Underdog" gives you a front row seat to a game of sibling rivalry.

"The story follows the younger brother, Booth, and the older brother, Lincoln," says Amina Robinson, director of "Topdog/Underdog."

Robinson says the two men are living together in one room of a rooming house.

Booth has a burning desire to learn how to play three-card monte.

Lincoln, played by actor Akeem Davis, could teach him, but won't.

"He is a former three-card monte hustler and gave up that life after some tragic events," says Davis.

Lincoln, trying to get his life in order, moves in with his little brother and works a day job.

"He is an Abraham Lincoln impersonator," he says.

Actor George McGriff is playing the role of Booth.

"He wants to be just like his older brother," says McGriff. "He's his hero."

But instead of working, Booth is scheming.

"He's the dreamer," says McGriff. "He's the one that has the hope for a better tomorrow."

McGriff says Booth is also "desperate for community."

"They have a lot of shared trauma from their childhood," says Robinson.

"But they have each other," says Davis.

"It really is about brotherly love," says Robinson.

She adds that it's also about the different identities people have to assume, "just to survive."

Booth believes that, together, the brothers can make some money through the game.

"There's this idea of, like, we could be a team," says Davis. "There could be integrity in how we make our living, and I'm like, there is no integrity in the street."

Davis calls the play "unconventional, raucous, profane," and a "hilarious, wild two hours with these two brothers."

"It's the piece that takes you on a heck of a ride and then you get to the end, and you're left, hopefully, with a profound experience," says Robinson.

"Topdog/Underdog" runs through December 20 at the Arden Theatre Company, and it does feature mature themes and adult language.

"Topdog/Underdog"

Link to tickets at Arden Theatre Company

Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106