The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 19-31, 2024
Winter solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more
The final roundup of the year is here, with events to close out the rest of December. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia, by Peter Schmitz
Exploring the rich past, present, and future of Philly theater
Peter Schmitz is a leading expert on the history of our theater scene, and his new book, Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia, takes us from the US premiere of Hamlet to the TLA and beyond. Cameron Kelsall takes the tour.
Features
4 minute read
The Big Story: The Oral History of Philadelphia TV News, by David Grzybowski
A new book takes you inside the TV coverage of Philly’s biggest stories
From Papal visits to sports championships to a blizzard that
never was, a new book takes us inside 50 juicy, surprising years of Philly TV
news in the words of Jim Garder, Larry Kane, and lots more. Stephen Silver
reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The House of Barnes: The Man, the Collection, the Controversy, by Neil L. Rudenstine
Still braving Barnes bias
As a trustee emeritus of the Barnes Foundation, author Neil L. Rudenstine is clearly biased, but his book offers interesting details about the collection of Albert Barnes, and how his fraught legacy was slowly dismantled. Emily B. Schilling reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents: The Muppets Christmas Carol
A frog, a pig and Constantine Kitsopoulos
The Philadelphia Orchestra scores the 1992 film live this week, and it has us wondering: what Muppet do you relate to the most? Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History presents Humans of Judaism
The popular online platform honoring the diversity of modern Jewish life comes to museum walls
The Weitzman on Independence Mall honors the diversity of the modern Jewish experience with a new exhibition based on the popular social-media platform Humans of Judaism. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
Final Cut, by Charles Burns
A Philadelphia graphic novelist at the top of his game
Charles Burns, the cult-favorite Philly-based cartoonist behind Black Hole, is back with the graphic novel Final Cut, a new work the artist seems born to create. Kiran Pandey reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Building Ghosts: Past Lives and Lost Places in a Changing City, by Molly Lester and Michael Bixler
Revealing Philadelphia’s almost-invisible past
Building Ghosts, an absorbing new book from Temple University Press, grasps a history that we barely know with essays and photos capturing the remnants of Philly’s lost and demolished buildings. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
Chris Davis presents One-Man Nutcracker 2024
Still working on his pirouettes
Prolific Philly solo artist (and budding mid-life ballerino)
Chris Davis is back with One-Man-Nutcracker, a deeply personal glimpse
at the famous ballet as well as the yearning to dance that can strike at any
age. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
2 minute read
How to have a Hallmark Holiday in Philly
Christmas time around the way
Breaking the holiday formula with a curated selection of things to do in Philly this holiday season, with festivals, food, light shows, volunteering opportunities, and more. An Nichols rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Podcast, Season 9, Episode 7: The world premiere of The Complete Works of Christmas (Abridged)
Shakespeare in Clark Park tackles Christmas
Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with Shakespeare in Clark Park artistic director Shamus to hear all about a new Christmas-themed show at the Drake starring Amanda Schoonover.
Podcast
1 minute read
Quintessence Theatre Group presents Cole Porter and Sam and Bella Spewack’s Kiss Me, Kate
Kate is still great
Quintessence Theatre Group scores a hit with a new production of the Golden Age musical Kiss Me, Kate. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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Also on BSR
BSR Holiday Classical Interludes, December 2024
Scoring the holiday
Holiday music outside of the (beloved) carols and Mariah Carey stratosphere happening in the Philly area this December. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
4 minute read
People’s Light presents Peter Panto: A Musical Panto
A childlike delight
Sail away for a mad-cap family-friendly adventure with a heart-warming message about family and self-acceptance in A People’s Light world premiere of Peter Panto: A Musical Panto. Jill Brooke previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 12-18, 2024
The Sincerity Project, a circus holiday, West Craft Fest, and more
Team Sunshine continues its long-running show, Curio and Shakespeare in Clark Park open new shows, circus holiday shows from Circadium, and much more populate the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
Dolce Suono presents Great Arrangements
Variations beyond Bach
Great Arrangements by Dolce Suono made for a compelling afternoon of chamber music, featuring arrangements of well-known and less-well-known works that differed from the composer’s original vision. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
PHILADANCO! presents Our Voices, Our Choices…This is Us!
Another emotionally powerful performance
PHILADANCO! honored director Lee Daniels, an alum of the company’s classes, at a program showcasing four Black women choreographers, including company favorites as well as rising star Martha Nichols. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Arden Children’s Theatre presents Douglas Irvine’s adaptation of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan
Welcoming thrills for young audiences
The Arden’s stage adaptation of Peter Pan, featuring some of Philly’s favorite actors under award-winning director Whit MacLaughlin, holds youngsters rapt. Jill Brooke reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 5-11, 2024
Holiday laughs, Make Ready Again, Humans of Judaism, and more
Comedy from CSz Philly and PHIT, portraits of culture and community courtesy of the Weitzman, Al-Bustan, and Journey Arts, and more decorate the first full weekend of December. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR December 2024 repertory movie roundup
RockyFest, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and more
Die Hard, the Muppets, and other Christmas classics, and a Rocky marathon highlight December movies in the area. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
5 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, December 2024
'Tis the season
Classical music offerings from the first half of December in Philly and the greater area. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
BSR Podcast, season 9, episode 6: The Wilma's Comeuppance with actor Taysha Marie Canales
Go behind the scenes with the Wilma's Hothouse acting company
Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with actor Taysha Marie Canales for a backstage look at the Wilma and Woolly Mammoth co-production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's The Comeuppance, now extended through Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Podcast
1 minute read