
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 17-23, 2025
SpringFest, In the soft light, Banners of Liberty, and more
New exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution, DelArt, and InLiquid, with comedy at FringeArts and the return of SpringFest at PFS. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.

Previews
4 minute read

Roger Lee Dance Company presents Bloom
Dancing with the flowers
Roger Lee Dance Company presents Bloom, a two-night production featuring dances inspired by spring flowers. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Previews
3 minute read

People’s Light presents Noah Haidle’s Birthday Candles
Celebration of life
Superbly produced by People’s Light, Noah Haidle’s Birthday Candles sensitively balances the sentimental and the profound as it follows one extraordinary, ordinary woman through her long life. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read

BSR Classical Interludes, more in April 2025
Closing the Opera Philadelphia season, music at Longwood Gardens, and Cupid’s Bow
Rounding up the second half of April with classical music performances in the Greater Philadelphia area. Gail Obenreder previews.

Previews
3 minute read

InterAct Theatre Company presents Gabriel Jason Dean’s Rift: or White Lies
Brothers, inside and out
Philly actors Jered McLenigan and Matteo Scammell trade off roles in Rift: or White Lies, now getting its rolling world premiere at InterAct, about two brothers with very different lives struggling to find common ground. Alaina Johns reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

The Broad Street Review Podcast: Talking the 2025 PVLA Arts Affair
You're invited as Philly's "cool lawyers" party with artists and supporters on May 15
Darnelle Radford sits down with leaders of PVLA to talk about this year's Arts Affair (coming up on May 15 at REC Philly) and the legal and political concerns local artists are tackling with the help of volunteer lawyers.

Podcast
1 minute read

Can you pass this quiz on the first 100 days of Trump’s second term?
See how your knowledge stacks up before education is banned in the US
Essayist Anndee Hochman challenges those of us who may need a break from the news with this quiz about our current federal government.
Essays
5 minute read

The Walnut Street Theatre presents Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s Dreamgirls
Glitter, glam, and heart
A new production of Dreamgirls at the Walnut brings powerful vocals to a show that will offer fresh insights even for longtime fans of the story. Maya Arthur reviews.

Reviews
3 minute read

Curtis Opera Theatre presents Leonard Bernstein’s Candide
Cultivating our own gardens at the Forrest
Curtis Opera Theatre took to the Forrest Theatre stage for a high-energy production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, featuring jaw-dropping voices from the next generation of opera artists. Linda Holt reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

People criticizing “Hands Off” rallies are ignoring disabled protestors
Disabled people are powerful activists. Do not discount us in the streets.
Criticism or dismissals of the "Hands Off" protests sweeping the US this April aren't just coming from the right. Some left-wing voices are discounting the protest as well. Both sides are ignoring disabled people's courage. Alaina Johns considers.

Editorials
6 minute read

The Mütter Museum presents Trusted Messengers: Community, Confidence, and COVID-19
Five years later: remembering pandemic heroes
A new special exhibition at the Mütter Museum marks five years since the first Covid shutdowns, honoring the healthcare workers, researchers, and truth-tellers who saved millions of lives. Erin Dohony reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

Philadelphia Magic Gardens presents Eustace Mamba’s Stone Soup
A medley of art for the culture
Philadelphia Magic Gardens opens its new exhibit Stone Soup, an exhibition of Eustace Mamba’s work that portrays the diaspora through mixed media art with a Philly-inspired lens. An Nichols previews.

Previews
2 minute read
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Also on BSR

The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 10-16, 2025
Stompin’ at the Savoy, Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s, printPHILLY! and more
A new exhibition at the PMA, swing dance at DTC, offerings from Theatre By Development, Resident Ensemble Players, and the Wilma, and the third annual printPHILLY! highlight the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.

Previews
3 minute read

Tempesta di Mare presents Bach’s Trio Sonatas
Rearranging the Organ Sonatas—just like Bach used to do
Tempesta di Mare reimagined Bach’s Trio Sonatas, originally written for keyboards and often played on the organ, for chamber forces including recorder, violin, lute, harpsichord, and a surprise instrument. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

PhilaMOCA to celebrate 35 years of Twin Peaks with screenings and Michael Horse
A damn fine cup of coffee
David Lynch will be celebrated and honored by events at PhilaMOCA this month, including a visit from Michael Horse of Twin Peaks fame. Stephen Silver previews.

Previews
7 minute read

The 7 Fingers and Penn Live Arts present Duel Reality
Taking Romeo and Juliet to new heights
The 7 Fingers offers a thrilling acrobatic take on a classic tragedy. Melissa Strong reviews.

Reviews
4 minute read

Philadelphia Dance Projects presents Dance Up Close: Seeds and Sounds and Jumper Cables
Choreographic collaborations
Philadelphia Dance Projects’ Dance Up Close 2025 series kicked off with Jumper Cables and Seeds and Sounds, showcasing interdisciplinary collaborations at Christ Church Neighborhood House. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Reviews
3 minute read

The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Stravinsky’s The Firebird
Welcoming spring with Stravinsky, Bartók, and Assiginaak
Whether or not it was intended, a spring program including Stravinsky, Bartók, and contemporary Canadian composer Barbara Assiginaak was a welcome reflection on musicians who have faced or presaged tyranny. Linda Holt reviews.

Reviews
3 minute read

Dance Up Close ‘25 springs to life with Jumper Cables
An electric leap
Dance Up Close ‘25, a midweek dance series presented by Philadelphia Dance Projects, springs to life with Jumper Cables. Melissa Strong previews.

Previews
3 minute read

The BSR April 2025 repertory movie roundup
The films by and inspired by David Lynch, plus visits from two filmmakers
SpringFest, more celebrating David Lynch, a pair of filmmakers visit Philly. Stephen Silver previews.

Previews
4 minute read

BSR Classical Interludes, April 2025
New music from Philly to Africa, and 20th century classics
Classical music from Penn Live Arts, Orchestra 2001, Mendelssohn Chorus, and more scores April. Gail Obenreder previews.

Previews
3 minute read

The month in Philly Dance: April 2025
Dance Up Close ‘25, PHILADANCO!, and more
Rounding up what’s taking the dance stage in the Philadelphia area throughout the month of April. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Previews
3 minute read