The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 20-26, 2025
Clowning at FringeArts, dancing with Madonna, new exhibits, and more
A night of spoken word, a weekend of clowning, and new exhibitions from Studio 105 and the African American Museum of Philadelphia decorate the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Inis Nua Theatre Company presents Gary Owen’s Iphigenia in Splott
From Aulis to Cardiff
Inis Nua Theatre transports Greek tragedy to industrial Wales in Gary Owen’s Iphigenia in Splott. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Variant 6 and the Sylvan Consort of Viols present Kile Smith’s Endless Morn of Light
Old is new and new is old again
In concert at Philly’s
Fleisher Art Memorial, the Sylvan Consort of Viols and Variant 6 combined
forces for the world premiere of Kile Smith’s Endless Morn of Light in a
delightfully harmonious program including music of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Peter Burwasser reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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BSR Classical Interludes, more in March 2025
Kicking off spring with classical music
Music from Piffaro, Franklin Quartet, Delaware Symphony, and more bring in the new season. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Rennie Harris Puremovement presents American Street Dancer
Moving feet to the beat
Rennie Harris Puremovement celebrates street dance in the world premiere of American Street Dancer. Melissa Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Koresh Dance presents Darkness Dancing into Pieces
Stepping into the light
Koresh Dance Company’s new full-length work Darkness Dancing into Pieces sets the stage for understanding terror through dance. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Hedgerow Theatre presents Stef Smith’s Nora: A Doll’s House
The lives of our mothers
Nora: A Doll’s House, now getting its American premiere at Hedgerow Theatre, takes the Ibsen classic and reimagines Nora’s life in 1920, 1973, and 2018. Isabel Soisson reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Unique Black bodies fascinated Philadelphians of the past
Diverse bodies have a long history in Philly that continues today
In honor of Women's History Month, Constance Garcia-Barrio honors four Black women who appeared in Philly in the 19th and 20th centuries, drawing crowds to their unique bodies, and reflects on acceptance of diverse bodies today.
Features
6 minute read
Long Bright River star Amanda Seyfried joins author Liz Moore on FringeArts panel
Exploring Philly connections as Long Bright River goes from page to screen
Philly author Liz Moore’s bestselling novel Long Bright River, set in Kensington, is now a TV series streaming this week on Peacock. The show’s stars and consultants joined a March 7 panel at FringeArts. Alaina Johns was there.
Previews
4 minute read
The Barnes Foundation presents Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations
Expressions of resilience
Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations, now on view at the Barnes, offers a vibrant and satisfying consideration of art history that demands a long look while fighting renewed attempts to systematically erase women from the world. K.A. McFadden reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Arden Theatre Company presents August Wilson’s King Hedley II
A sixth Century Cycle show
A nuanced lead performance by Akeem Davis anchors James Ijames’s production of King Hedley II, the Arden’s latest offering within August Wilson’s lauded Century Cycle. nat čermák reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Seven historic Philly civil rights activists who demand your solidarity today
When we stand up for justice, we don’t stand alone: now and throughout history
Solidarity doesn’t just mean supporting justice today. It means honoring the work of past activists and realizing that we stand with them. Alaina Johns asks if we will despair, or if we’ll continue their work.
Editorials
8 minute read
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Also on BSR
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 13-19, 2025
Nora: A Doll’s House, Of Black Wombhood, Beards on Ice, and more
A new exhibit from TILT and DVAA, performances from Hedgerow, Bearded Ladies, and Philadelphia Gay Man’s Chorus, and Holi at Penn Museum highlight the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
Irish Heritage Theatre presents Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane
Too much beauty, not enough terror
The balance between humor and anguish feels off-kilter in Irish Heritage Theatre’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane, now onstage at Plays & Players. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Philadelphia Orchestra presents Beethoven’s “Eroica” conducted by Osmo Vänskä
No dainty dance
Under guest conductor Osmo Vänskä, the Philadelphia Orchestra transfixed the audience with Beethoven’s Third after a splendid rendition of Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand and Michael Tilson Thomas’s Agnegram. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The duality and musicality of Philadelphia Ballet’s Swan Lake
Thays Golz channels her inner swan
Dancer Thays Golz talks about the challenges of performing the Tchaikovsky classic Swan Lake, taking on the roles of both the white and black swan. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 6-12, 2025
Electric Relaxation, plays inspired by Shel Silverstein, Cecily Brown at the Barnes, and more
This week features new exhibits at No Name Gallery and the Barnes, an improv comedy festival, and new productions from Irish Heritage Theatre, SideQuest Theater, and Casabuena Cultural Productions. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Alvin Ailey American Dance Company returns to the Academy of Music
Dancing in memoriam
Alvin Ailey American Dance Company acknowledges the legacy of a muse in its latest visit to the Academy of Music. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
PHS presents the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show: Gardens of Tomorrow
Your guide to thrive at Philly’s annual botanical extravaganza
The Philadelphia Flower Show is back for its 196th year, with the theme Gardens of Tomorrow. From individual orchids and cacti to show-stopping floral displays and hundreds of vendors, this year’s show is a must-visit. An Nichols reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, March 2025
Six voices, six viols, and the history of classical music in Philly
A 19th-century soiree, a premiere featuring an early music instrument, and exploring how music came to fill the city of Philadelphia. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Née Danse/Theatre presents An Unfinished Herstory
Making ‘Herstory’ on International Women’s Day
The International Women’s Day Festival from Née Danse/Theatre brings together a variety of performers, workshops, and more. Dara McBride previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Penn Museum presents Preserving Assyria
Rediscovering the world’s first empire
As Iraqi archeologists and experts reclaimed sites damaged by ISIS in the Gulf Wars, they discovered an extraordinary piece of Assyrian history. A new exhibition at Penn Museum explores the find. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read