Summer Series 2017 (BalletX): The beauty of human movement
The viewer is left with an uplifting feeling and sense of togetherness
Reviews
HAMLET (REV Theatre Company): “For the apparel oft proclaims the man” Fashion-forward styling updates HAMLET
REV Theatre Company creates a powerful rendition of HAMLET through scenery and clothing
THE NEW & IMPROVED STAGES OF GRIEF (Act II): Laughing through tears
Philadelphia’s queen of comedy takes on a dark subject with humor and heart.
THE NERD (Bucks County Playhouse): 60-second review
Larry Shue’s 1979 farce has seen better days.
MOTHER EMANUEL—AN AMERICAN MUSICAL PLAY (New Freedom Theatre): Taking the theater to church
New Freedom Theatre honors Emanuel Nine in new musical by creating a gospel celebration that honors their lives
PROJECT DAWN (People’s Light): The hug or the hammer
A well-intentioned but dull play about an important legal program in Philadelphia.
FUN HOME (national tour at Forrest Theatre): A study in want
There was a perfection to the timing of FUN HOME’s arrival in Philadelphia: Another take on FUN HOME
Revisiting PARROT TALK: A play distilled mid-run
Those fortunate enough to see both renditions of PARROT TALK witnessed in real-time flow the distillation of creative genius.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Walnut): Stayin’ Alive
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is a white-washed adaptation of the classic movie, with double the music and none of the soul. Director/choreographer Richard Stafford seems terrified of losing audience attention for…
FUN HOME (national tour at Forrest Theatre): Hiding who you are is likely to be tragic
FUN HOME is both a musical and a family drama; it’s also an activist declaration
UNCLE VANYA (Quintessence): Tedious boring people
Good productions of Chekhov remind us of how vital his work still can be. Bad productions feed the narrative that his plays are dated, charmless, and inconsequential.
ANNE-MARIE MULGREW AND DANCERS COMPANY: Marvels in our daily lives
Dance is one of our most natural ways to communicate and express our thoughts.
HIR (Simpatico): We are all everything
Author’s note: Taylor Mac uses “judy” as a gender pronoun. This review reflects Mac’s preference. Taylor Mac’s work is unwieldy and absurdist, challenging and unsettling. These elements often work to…
DOGS OF RWANDA (InterAct): We are witnesses
A gripping solo play that asks tough questions and rejects easy answers
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS & COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD (Lantern Theater Company): Locked in limbo with literati
The Lantern team transforms an essentially all-talk playscript into an engaging, living piece of theater.
Philadelphia Theater Calendar June 2017
Jerry’s Girls. April 4-July 2, 2017. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street. $35-$40. walnutstreettheatre.org The Light Princess by Tony Lawton and Alex Bechtel. April 5-June 2, 2017. Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street. $18-$36. tickets.ardentheatre.org Brighton Beach…
HOW TO USE A KNIFE (InterAct): A sharp new play
Scene one is hilarious; scene two wipes the smile right off your face.
MAKING HISTORY (Irish Heritage Theatre): Make Ireland Great Again
Brian Friel the Irish Chekhov.
MAKING HISTORY (Irish Heritage Theatre): A very human Irish history play
A great play for history buffs and hibernophiles.
