Paul Durand-Ruel and Impressionism (second review)

A triumph of didacticism and delectation

Discovering the Impressionists revolves around Paul Durand-Ruel, the prescient and shrewd Parisian dealer who championed, promoted, bought, and sold thousands of works by the Impressionists. His acuity and vision is attested to by the wondrous collection of paintings seen at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's latest blockbuster show.

Tom Goodman

Jul 30, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre's 2014-2015 season

The Bard, Philly-style

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre is the only local company exclusively devoted to Shakespeare, and it consistently produces lively, well-executed treatments of its chosen repertoire.

Tom Purdom

Jul 30, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

The era of niche TV

Does (audience) size matter?

The Golden Age of TV may have ended with the finale of Mad Men, but that’s OK. There’s a new era of TV starting — the era of niche TV — and it may actually be better.

Paula Berman

Jul 30, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

How does Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program deal with social issues?

What the walls say

Murals have the potential to delve deeper into social issues, but only when they are dialogues that challenge and take risks in exposing us all.

Treacy Ziegler

Jul 28, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Netflix’s ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ Season 3 (third review)

Disappearing acts: The real spine of Season 3

Griping because Orange Is the New Black doesn’t reveal the fate of your favorite characters? This narrative choice may be the season’s boldest and most compelling quality.

Alaina Johns

Jul 28, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Matthew Heineman's 'Cartel Land'

Not-so-simple justice

In his courageous new documentary, Matthew Heineman investigates the death grip of the drug cartels in Mexico.

Carol Rocamora

Jul 28, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

John F. Kasson's 'Little Girl Who Fought the Great Depression'

The meaning of Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple struck a chord with the moviegoing public: 1935 was the first of her four-year run as the top box-office star in the country. Her appeal wasn’t just about her innocence, argues John Kasson in his outstanding analysis — she was a powerful political and economic symbol during the Depression.

Judy Weightman

Jul 26, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Recent fiction recommendations

You don’t have to choose between Hannibal Lecter and Emma Bovary

You have to do a little work to find them, but novelists and short story writers are still turning out books about people who aren’t adulterers and serial killers.

Tom Purdom

Jul 25, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Paul Durand-Ruel and Impressionism (first review)

The business of art

The unusual premise for this Art Museum exhibition threatened to distract from the paintings. Imagine, a show about a salesman. In actuality, learning about the provenance enhances our appreciation of the art. And what a magnificent group of canvases this is!

Steve Cohen

Jul 24, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Bruce Graham's 'Stella and Lou' at People's Light

Lonely hearts in South Philly

Stella and Lou is good, not-too-heavy summer fare, a play with humor that also offers food for thought and characters who stay with you after the lights have come up.

Bill Murphy

Jul 24, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read