Spark Festival Showcase

July 11-15, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.

by Sara Scott

Theater showcase

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The city's smaller theater companies have plenty to say, but sometimes it's tough getting your voice heard. That's why the Theatre Alliance created the Spark program, which gathers some of Philly's most daring theatrical underdogs onto one stage for a 120-minute showcase.

"[It's a chance to] get a little taste of what each company is like," says Karen DiLossi, Theatre Alliance director of programs and services. "So you can know which ones you want to go to all year long." The lineup this time around is almost entirely original works, with each company putting on a piece that represents its artistic mission (well, as much of it as they can get across in 10 minutes).

Madhouse Theater is staging The Secret Diaries of Leni Riefenstahl,a satire about the woman behind Hitler's propaganda films. Luna Theater is taking a similar route with a dark comedy about the war on terror called Backyard Conspiracy.

And MacGuffin Theatre & Film Co. is pulling out all stops with a prison break musical comedy, A Place Called Up. With 11 companies participating — also on the bill are other City Paper familiars like EgoPo, Plays & Players, Tapestry and Vagabond — something's bound to ignite your interest.

July 11-15, $10, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-413-7150, www.theatrealliance.org/spark.