Portrait of a Black man in a blue strap top; jewelry beads and fruit on table in front of him. A red curtain behind him

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.
Kyle V. Hiller

Kyle V. Hiller

Previews 4 minute read
Four dancers in tutus in different colors, designs, pose for a group photo, one dancer in a split in front of other three

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.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read
6 actors in contemporary clothes on a set like a suburban kitchen make a toast to Lamm at center, wearing a blue jumper

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.
Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Reviews 3 minute read
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Amado in a black formal jacket, head down, lifting a conductor baton in one hand, in a music hall.

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.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Previews 3 minute read
Scammell, in a head bandage and orange jumpsuit, menaces McLenigan, in a plaid shirt, holding knuckles to his head like a gun

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.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Reviews 4 minute read
Logo for the 2025 PVLA Arts Affair on May 15, with a Justice is Blind statue.

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.
Darnelle Radford

Darnelle Radford

Podcast 1 minute read
View from the back of a small bare classroom with rows of empty desks facing a blank green chalkboard.

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.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Essays 5 minute read
The three women sing in lavish sequined purple gowns that have capes lined with huge crinoline boas.

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.
Maya Arthur

Maya Arthur

Reviews 3 minute read
In contemporary clothes in different styles, the singers sit sideways in a row on chairs, gesturing up with their left hands.

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.
Linda Holt

Linda Holt

Reviews 4 minute read
View over a crowd of thousands of protesters holding a sea of signs on a drizzly gray afternoon.

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.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Editorials 6 minute read
A woman nurse with pale skin and brown hair, wearing blue scrubs, looks calmly outward from a thicket of red spring branches

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.
Erin Dohony

Erin Dohony

Reviews 4 minute read
Colorful mixed media image of a Black boy in a Phillies cap. He has a calm, determined expression, looking straight ahead.

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.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Previews 2 minute read

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Also on BSR

Seven dancers in mid-movement, mostly synced except for the three dancers in the middle who are rising up.

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.
Kyle V. Hiller

Kyle V. Hiller

Previews 3 minute read
View from the audience in the church pews of six musicians playing period instruments on the chancel.

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.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 4 minute read
A medium close up portrait of Lynch, with blonde/gray hair, a black jacket, in front of a mic, smiling or laughing

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.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Previews 7 minute read
Two performers on a tall pole on stage in mid-movement. One in blue, the other red. Other performers in red and blue look on

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.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read
Three PDP dancers, each on one leg in the middle of a dynamic tilting move, perform in a venue with an old gym floor.

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.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 3 minute read
Kang, an Asian woman wearing a sleeveless patterned dress, plays the violin alongside the orchestra and conductor.

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.
Linda Holt

Linda Holt

Reviews 3 minute read
Sood and Smith in mid air in motion, angled looking up, city skyline and a clear blue sky behind them

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.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Previews 3 minute read
Wiseau wears sunglasses, has a mic, talks to an audience in a small theater room, people are visible in the seats

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.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Previews 4 minute read
Savali plays a cello, a music stand in front of him, the background all black around him

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.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Previews 3 minute read
Three dancers in motion in front of a set of other dancers holding a large wheel-like structure, a dancer set inside

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.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read