Nixon in China — Princeton Festival at McCarter Theatre (Matthews)
The Princeton Festival production of “Nixon in China” exhilarates because it succeed on both artistic and intellectual levels. Alice Goodman’s libretto is unafraid to delve into complexities of history, diplomacy, … Continue reading
2016 Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Awards — The Recipients
The level of theatrical production in the Philadelphia area is so fine, choosing recipients for an annual award was a challenge in all but the Best Supporting Actress category, and … Continue reading
Capsules Galore — Birds, Disgraced, Mountaintop, Notes on a Native Son
The first two months of Philadelphia’s 2016-17 theater season have been extraordinary., Not only was much of quality presented, but variety and creativity have soared. Almost every night in the … Continue reading
Four Fast Takes — As You Like It, The Mousetrap, Nureyev’s Eyes, Sound of Music
AS YOU LIKE IT, Lantern Theater, 10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, through Sunday, April 17 —Ultimately entertaining, Charles McMahon’s production of Shakespeare’s wise comedy is a hodge-podge that not only … Continue reading
The Piano Lesson — McCarter Theatre
Storytelling prevails so strongly and engrossingly in McCarter Theatre’s production of “The Piano Lesson,” you marvel and how adroitly director Jade King Carroll and her cast sidestep playwright August Wilson’s … Continue reading
Quickies: The Bald Soprano, Baskerville, Book of Mormon, McCarter Carol, Volunteers…
Oops! I’m behind for a change. Too much attention to creative writing is the culprit, but it’s time to catch up with what’s happening in local theater. “Quickies” will begin to appear … Continue reading
Quickies on the Current — Ainsleys, Children’s Hour, Comedy of Tenors, Disgraced
To keep up with the glut, here is a listing of plays running currently in the Philadelphia region and some quick comments about them. ANTIGONE — Wilma Theater, Broad and … Continue reading
Five Mile Lake — McCarter Theatre
Few playwrights, new or established, hold a mirror up to nature, as efficiently and compactly as Rachel Bonds. Bonds is particularly adept at capturing human nature and its quiet, engulfing … 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
Sizwe Banzi is Dead — McCarter Theatre Company
“Sizwe Banzi is Dead” is genuine work of theater. And an authentic, authoritative look at a shameful period of South African history that skillfully camouflages the importance of the indignities … Continue reading
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