Elfreth’s Alley Museum
presents
Anvil of the World
Back for an extended run after a sold out performance in 2025, ANVIL OF THE WORLD is an original one-person gothic horror performance about industrialization and masculinity in nineteenth century Philadelphia, performed by Jeff Joseph Katz and directed by Michael A. Stahler.
Accompanied by hand-drawn animation and live sound effects, Jeff Joseph Katz reads from the “newly-discovered” journal of Asa Lawler, a young smith’s apprentice in 1870 Philadelphia who finds himself terrorized by a strange disease — but not his own. And why does he keep finding chips of metal under his pillow? In the tradition of Shirley Jackson and Guillermo del Toro, Katz weaves an eerie tale of men and their machines.
Jeff Joseph Katz is a white queer writer, artist, and performer based in Philadelphia, PA. He works across mediums to discover the secret passages between thinking and feeling. http://www.jeffjosephkatz.com
Michael A. Stahler is a director, writer, actor, dialect coach, and tour guide of Philadelphia history. His directing work has included projects for Cannonball Festival, Wings of Paper Theatre Company, People’s Light, and Drexel University. www.michaelstahler.com
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Thursday, October 22 – 6:30pm
Friday, October 23 – 6:30pm
Saturday, October 24 – 6:30pm
Sunday, October 25 – 6:30pm
Thursday, October 29 – 6:30pm
Friday, October 30 – 6:30pm
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/elfrethsalley/anvil-of-the-world
Parking:
We recommend that our guests park in the garage located by the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Street. The cost is a flat rate of $14 no matter how long you stay. From there, you can either walk up to Elfreth’s Alley or take the Phlash bus, which will be free if you show the driver your ticket for Deck the Alley or let the driver know that is where you are going.
Two other nearby parking garages are:
Old City Parkominium (Park America): A 24-hour covered garage easily accessible off 95 and 676. 215 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Old City Parking: 304 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
To take the Phlash Bus to Elfreth’s Alley:
Look for the pink Phlash bus!
Board at Stop #14 (Liberty Bell Center) at the southwest corner of 6th and Market (next to La Colombe).
Ride the bus for two stops and get off at Stop #17 (Betsy Ross House) and walk east on Arch street, then turn left on 2nd street to Elfreth’s Alley.
