Dirty Dancing — National Tour — Academy of Music
The touring stage rendition of the popular 1987 movie, “Dirty Dancing,” makes a common but fatal mistake. It takes its audience entirely for granted. “Dirty Dancing,” as a movie, seems … Continue reading
Ragtime — Bristol Riverside Theatre
In addition to telling a moving and compelling story, E.L. Doctorow scored two remarkable achievements when he published his novel, “Ragtime,” in 1975. He composed his novel in the rhythms … Continue reading
And Then There Were None — Walnut Street Theatre
Eight people, strangers to each other, are invited to spend the weekend at a British country estate situated on an island and only reachable by boat, a ferry that comes … Continue reading
Merrily We Roll Along — Temple Theaters at Randall Theater
More than most shows, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s “Merrily We Roll Along” depends on its production. When I saw Harold Prince’s original staging in 1981, I loved several of … Continue reading
Baskerville — McCarter Theatre
Patrick Barlow turned to movies and the master of cinematic suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, when he formulated his humorous romp of a thriller, “The 39 Steps,” a current staple in regional … Continue reading
Macbeth — Arden Theatre
Ian Merrill Peakes’s Macbeth at Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre shows less ambition than dissatisfaction. Nothing is ever good enough for him. He can’t be content with what he has. When Banquo … Continue reading
Field Hockey Hot — 11th Hour at Adrienne Theatre
Fun, energy, and film noir dramatics with a comic take outweigh any silliness or plot liberties taken in “Field Hockey Hot,” Michael Ogborn’s ebullient world premiere musical being given a … Continue reading
Collected Stories — Isis Productions at Walnut 5
Writers tell stories. Even as a theater reviewer, when prose is secondary to description and considered opinion, I try to make each critique a story, to give the person who … Continue reading
Moon Cave — Azuka Theatre at Off-Broad Street Theater
Douglas Williams’s world premiere play, “Moon Cave,” is so engrossing, thought-provoking, and fulfilling to watch develop, it is a jarring shock when it ends so abruptly and seemingly so unresolved. … Continue reading
Ghost — Media Theatre
Jesse Cline has many talents as a theater director, but his forte is bringing characters forward and getting to the core of their personal stories. The musical, “Ghost,” did not … Continue reading
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