2021 Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Awards — The Nominees
Because of COVID, I saw only 22 plays in the Philadelphia area in 2021. Usually, I present what I call “The Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Award” — Notice the placement of … Continue reading
Christmas: in Story, in Panto, and in Wales; and Found
A line that sticks with me from vintage television echoes through my head today, “Chatsworth, you’re a lazy boy.” Well, not so much lazy and busy and tired while adjusting … Continue reading
Richard III — People’s Light & Theatre Company
Shakespeare offers directors and performers multiple avenues by which to craft a production of his works. Concentration could be on a character, parallel patterns, or a theme. Samantha Reading leans … Continue reading
Stella and Lou — People’s Light & Theatre Company
Bruce Graham’s latest play, “Stella and Lou,” is the theatrical version of comfort food. Rather than aim for the gourmet, with fancy ingredients and a self-consciously splashy array of spices, … Continue reading
Biloxi Blues — People’s Light & Theatre Company
Finding the difference between stereotype and human behavior and reactions that fit a familiar mold catapults Samantha Bellomo’s production of Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” from being an amiable service comedy … Continue reading
Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon — People’s Light
Watching Christopher Patrick Mullen laboring back and forth across the People’s Light stage wrestling with a dragon’s tail sets up the farcical silliness of Michael Ogborn’s latest panto, “Arthur and … Continue reading
Bach at Leipzig — People’s Light & Theatre Company
At the end of the first act of Itamar Moses’s play, “Bach at Leipzig,” I turned to my friend, Byron Fink, and said, “I see. It’s a verbal fugue.” At … Continue reading
Cinderella: A Musical Panto — People’s Light & Theatre Company
Pantos are tricky. They have to contain enough slapstick, simplicity, and story familiarity to entertain children while being arch enough, and often topical enough, to amuse adults. “Cinderella: A … Continue reading
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