The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 3-9, 2025
Miniball, Confluence: Film Festival, and Eight Eight Time
New music from Journey Arts, the return of Miniball and Confluence, and new exhibitions open April in Philly. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers presents Luna (月): Dance, Myth, and Nature
Philadelphia treasures
Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers reflected on the moon in Luna (月): Dance, Myth, and Nature, with vibrant repertory works and striking world premieres by Weiwei Ma, Evalina Carbonell, and Kun-Yang Lin. Melissa Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 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
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Multiple truths: a conversation with Chasing Chasing Amy filmmaker Sav Rodgers
Exploring love, queerness, and becoming yourself through the lens of late 90s favorite Chasing Amy
Filmmaker Sav Rodgers did not mean to show his own journey, including his transition and his own love story, but his documentary Chasing Chasing Amy explores much more than the hit film. He speaks with Adryan Corcione.
Features
5 minute read
The BSR Podcast: Talking Philly Theatre Week 2025 with Theatre Philadelphia's CJ Higgins
Go behind the scenes of Philly's spring theater fest (it's Pay What You Can!)
BSR Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with Theatre Philadelphia's CJ Higgins to talk all things Philly Theatre Week 2025 (the eighth annual), including shows, workshops, and other industry events.
Podcast
1 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
Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present the national tour of & Juliet
Baby one more time
The musical & Juliet flips the script on Shakespeare in the most delightful way, and it’s easily one of the most enjoyable and important Broadway exports that Philly has seen in years. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
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
The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia presents Highway 65 and Matchmaking 2
Movies celebrating the scope, diversity, and complexity of Israeli culture
The 29th annual Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia highlighted artists rarely seen on American screens for a lineup with plenty to offer local Israeli Americans as well as the non-Jewish community. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.
Reviews
5 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
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
Theatre Horizon presents Lauren Yee’s Young Americans: A Play in Two Road Trips
Americans on the road
In Lauren Yee’s Young Americans, onstage at Theatre Horizon, members of one family take a cross-country road trip 20 years apart, exploring how they understand each other as family, and as Americans. Emily Esten reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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Also on BSR
Hedgerow Theatre Company presents Tim Crouch’s I, Banquo
What would you do with a powerful prophecy?
Tim Crouch’s I, Banquo, onstage at Media’s Hedgerow Theatre, asks us in the words of Macbeth’s slain best friend what we would do if someone gave us a prophecy of absolute power. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Philadelphia Magic Gardens presents Eustace Mamba’s Stone Soup
A medley of art for the culture
The 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
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 27-April 2, 2025
Your guide to the 2025 Philly Theatre Week
Kyle V. Hiller previews the eighth Philly Theatre Week with a series of select picks for this year’s festival.
Previews
5 minute read
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents pianist Leif Ove Andsnes
Music of home
In his debut recital with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes highlighted composers from his home country of Norway. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Philadelphia Ballet presents Boléro, Water Dances, and Dance Card
A triple bill of intense dance
Philadelphia Ballet, celebrating 60 years and its new home on Broad Street, brought a triple bill that enthralled with tension. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Fever Dream Repertory presents Bruce Walsh’s james
A Taptacular transformation
Fever Dream Repertory presents the world premiere of Bruce Walsh’s james at the upstairs Skinner Studio at Plays and Players, about an everyman who wins a makeover at the Super Bowl. Joshua Herren reviews.
Reviews
2 minute read
Quintessence presents Shakespeare’s Midsummer and Antony & Cleopatra in rep
Passion’s slaves: the Reckless Romance Repertory
Mt. Airy’s Quintessence welcomes spring with repertory productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra, an ambitious and ultimately successful undertaking by director Alex Burns. C.M. Crockford reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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 in Philadelphia decorate the week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
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
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